Proposed Rules. Extension of public comment period

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Action: Extension of public comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 06-2909 · RIN 2060-AN26 · EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0175; FRL-8049-7 · 40 CFR 51

Summary

The EPA is announcing a 90-day extension of the public comment period for the proposed “Transition to New or Revised Particulate Matter (PM); National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).” As initially published in the Federal Register on February 9, 2006 written comments on the advance proposal for rulemaking were to be submitted to EPA on or before April 10, 2006 (a 60-day public comment period). Since publication, EPA has received several requests for additional time to submit comments. Therefore, the public comment period is being extended for 90 days and will now end on July 10, 2006. This extension is based on the fact that the PM NAAQS will not be finalized until September 27, 2006.

Dates

The public comment period for this proposed rule is extended to July 10, 2006.

Supplementary Information

I. General Information A. Extension of Public Comment Period The proposed rule was signed by the Administrator on February 3, 2006 and published in the Federal Register on February 9, 2006 (71 FR 6718). The EPA has received several requests for additional time to comment on the proposal. Since the 60-day public comment period would have concluded on April 10, 2006, EPA has decided to extend the comment period until July 10, 2006 based on the fact that the PM NAAQS will not be promulgated until September 27, 2006. B. How Can I Get Copies of This Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0175. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center, located at 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room B102, Washington, DC between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Docket is (202) 566-1742. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying. 2. Electronic Access . You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ Federal Register ” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ . Also, the advance notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on February 9, 2006 and is available at http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/actions.html. Dated: March 14, 2006. Jeffrey S. Clark, Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. [FR Doc. E6-4369 Filed 3-24-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 51 [EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0079; FRL-8049-4] RIN 2060-AN26 Implementation of the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard—Phase 1: Reconsideration AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing; reopening comment period. SUMMARY: The EPA is requesting comment on the overwhelming transport classification for 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas as requested in a petition for reconsideration of EPA's final rule to implement the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard). We are requesting comment on the draft guidance document entitled “Criteria For Assessing Whether an Ozone Nonattainment Area is Affected by Overwhelming Transport,” and we are reopening the comment period on our proposed rule regarding how the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 172 requirements would apply to an area that might receive an overwhelming transport classification. In the Phase 1 Rule to Implement the 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS we stated that we were considering the comments we received on the issue of applicable requirements for these subpart 1 areas and would address them when we issued guidance on assessing overwhelming transport. Consequently, today's action takes comment on the overwhelming transport guidance and on the applicable requirements that would apply to areas receiving the overwhelming transport classification. In addition, EPA is holding a public hearing on April 12, 2006. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 12, 2006 on both the proposed rule and reopening on the June 2, 2003 proposal. A public hearing will be held in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, on April 12, 2006, and will convene at 10 a.m. and will end when those preregistered to provide testimony have done so and when others in attendance at that time have had an opportunity to do so. Because of the need to resolve the issues in this document in a timely manner, EPA will not grant requests for extensions of the public comment period. For additional information on the public hearing, see the ADDRESSEES section of this preamble.