[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 163 (Monday, August 24, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45037-45038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22653]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 72 and 73
[FRL-6150-2]
RIN 2060-AH60
Revisions to the Permits and Sulfur Dioxide Allowance System
Regulations Under Title IV of the Clean Air Act
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: Title IV of the Clean Air Act (the Act), as amended by the
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, authorizes
[[Page 45038]]
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) to establish the
Acid Rain Program. The program sets emissions limitations to reduce
acidic particles and deposition and their serious, adverse effects on
natural resources, ecosystems, materials, visibility, and public
health.
The allowance trading component of the Acid Rain Program allows
utilities to achieve sulfur dioxide emissions reductions in the most
cost-effective way. Allowances are traded among utilities and recorded
in EPA's Allowance Tracking System for use in determining compliance at
the end of each year. The Acid Rain Program's permitting, allowance
trading, and emissions monitoring requirements are set forth in the
``core rules'' promulgated on January 11, 1993. On August 3, 1998 (63
FR 41358) EPA published a proposal that would amend certain provisions
in the permitting and Allowance Tracking System rules for the purpose
of improving the operation of the Allowance Tracking System and the
allowance market, while still preserving the Act's environmental goals.
This document extends the comment period on that notice of proposed
rulemaking until September 17, 1998.
DATES: Comments. Comments on the August 3, 1998 proposed rule must be
received on or before September 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted in duplicate, to: EPA
Air Docket, Attention, Docket No. A-98-15, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.
Docket. Docket No. A-98-15, containing supporting information used
in developing the proposed rule, is available for public inspection and
copying between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at
EPA's Air Docket Section, Waterside Mall, room 1500, 1st Floor, 401 M
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. A reasonable fee may be charged for
copying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Deneen, Permits and Allowance
Market Branch, Acid Rain Division (6204J), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460 (202-564-
9089).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice of proposed rulemaking for this
action (63 FR 41358, August 3, 1998) provided for a 30 day comment
period ending on September 2, 1998, unless a public hearing was
requested, in which case the comment period would be extended 15 days
until September 17, 1998. The Agency has received a request that the
comment period be extended until September 17, 1998, without a public
hearing (see docket Item A-98-15-IV-D-1). That request indicated that
in the event EPA declined to extend the comment period in this manner,
the request constituted a request for a public hearing, which would
have the same effect of extending the comment period.
In the interest of full public participation in this rulemaking,
and in recognition that the Agency should not require the public to
present testimony at a public hearing for the procedural reason to
extend the written comment period, the Agency with this document
extends the comment period until September 17, 1998. Because no public
hearing was requested by the August 13, 1998 deadline specified in the
original document, no public hearing will be held on this rulemaking.
Dated: August 14, 1998.
Brian McLean,
Director, Acid Rain Division.
[FR Doc. 98-22653 Filed 8-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
