Proposed Rules. Notice of proposed rulemaking

Agency: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT
Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking. Extension of comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2014-22759 · RIN 2137-AE81 · Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0143 (HM-253) · 49 CFR 171, 173

Summary

PHMSA is notifying the public of its intent to extend the comment period by thirty days for a notice of proposed rulemaking entitled “Hazardous Materials: Reverse Logistics” under Docket Number PHMSA-2011-0143 (HM-253) published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2014.

Dates

The comment period for the NPRM published August 11, 2014, at 79 FR 46748, is extended from October 10, 2014, until November 10, 2014. To the extent possible, PHMSA will consider late-filed comments.

Supplementary Information

I. Background On August 11, 2014, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking [79 FR 46748] seeking comments on our proposal to revise the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to return shipments of certain hazardous materials by motor vehicle. PHSMA proposed to establish a new section in the regulations to provide an exception for materials that are transported in a manner that meets the definition of “reverse logistics.” In this NPRM, PHMSA also proposed to clearly identify the hazardous materials authorized, and the packaging, hazard communication, and training requirements applicable to reverse logistics shipments. In addition, this rulemaking also proposed to expand an existing exception for reverse logistics shipments of used automobile batteries that are being shipped from a retail facility to a recycling center. II. Extension of Comment Period PHMSA received a request to extend the comment period by thirty days from the American Trucking Association (ATA). ATA is conducting its annual meeting in early October 2014, and will require more time to adequately respond with an official comment. ATA is requesting this extension in order to have sufficient time to fully evaluate the impacts of the proposed requirements associated with the proposals in the NPRM. An extension of the comment period will provide ATA and its members the opportunity to compile valuable and comprehensive comments. Due to PHMSA's desire to collect meaningful input from affected stakeholders, PHMSA is granting the ATA's request to extend the comment period to ensure ATA and other stakeholders have sufficient time to review the proposals in the NPRM. PHMSA is confident the 30-day extension will allow stakeholders sufficient time to conduct a more thorough review. Issued in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2014, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97(b). William S. Schoonover, Deputy Associate Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. [FR Doc. 2014-22759 Filed 9-24-14; 8:45 am]