[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2194-2195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-933]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63
RIN 2060-AG21
[FRL-5950-1]
Amendments for Testing and Monitoring Provisions: Citation of
ASTM Test Methods
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Supplementary proposal with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This action solicits public comments on EPA's interim position
on citing American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods in
40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63. On August 27, 1997, ``Amendments for
Testing and Monitoring Provisions'' was proposed in the Federal
Register (62 FR 45369). In the proposal, ASTM methods cited in the
subparts were amended to include all updated versions that apply. The
EPA is now considering listing only the latest version of the methods
instead of all individual versions. The intended effect of this action
is to make the public aware of this interim position and to solicit
comments from parties affected by this new listing of the methods.
DATES: Comments. Comments on this supplementary proposal must be
received on or before March 16, 1998. This comment period does not
apply to comments on the original amendments that were proposed on
August 27, 1997. The comments for these amendments were due by October
27, 1997; however, the comment period was reopened for an additional 45
days to make comments due by January 5, 1998. The comment period for
today's proposal is specific for comments solicited in this document.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if
possible) to: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102),
Attention Docket No. A-97-12 (see docket section below), room M-1500,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20460. The Agency requests that a separate copy also be sent to
the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below.
Docket. Docket No. A-97-12, containing materials relevant to this
rulemaking, is available for public inspection and copying between 8:00
a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays,
at the EPA's Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Room M-
1500, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 260-7548. A reasonable fee may be
charged for copying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Foston Curtis, Emission
Measurement Center (MD-19), Emissions, Monitoring, and Analysis
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina 27711, telephone number (919) 541-1063 or at fax number
(919) 541-1039.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal of ``Amendments for Testing and
Monitoring Provisions'' on August 27, 1997 updated the citations of
ASTM methods in 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63 by including the revised
ASTM methods that have come into existence since the subpart was
promulgated. This was done to remove the uncertainty that users of the
methods were having over the acceptability of newer redesignated
methods that were not cited. The ASTM normally reviews its methods
periodically to determine if updates or revisions are needed. Changes
are usually done to reflect improved procedures or practice, and these
technical enhancements are in keeping with EPA's interest in using the
best scientific information. Whenever the methods are updated or
revised, the year associated with the method number
[[Page 2195]]
is changed to reflect the time of this revision. Although the proposal
listed multiple dates for each method, EPA is now considering listing
only the latest version and not previous ones. This will enable the
Agency to comply with the trend other Federal agencies are following
with these methods. To remove the uncertainty over which previous
methods will then be acceptable, the preamble to the final rule will
note that the unlisted versions that were previously listed will be
acceptable for future use. We have considered the impact of this change
on affected parties and do not anticipate any adverse effects. The EPA
is soliciting public comments on this move to list only the latest
versions of the ASTM methods.
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 60
Environmental protection, New sources, Test methods and procedures,
Performance specifications, Continuous emission monitors.
40 CFR Part 61
Environmental protection, Test methods and procedures.
40 CFR Part 63
Environmental protection, Hazardous air pollutants, Test methods
and procedures.
Dated: January 7, 1998.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 98-933 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M
