Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Environmental Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 195, October 7, 2008

Federal Register
Vol. 73, No. 195
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
 
There are 7 announcements in this issue
 
    1. AIR - FR. EPA. Notice of final determination and availability of
final control techniques guidelines. Consumer and Commercial Products, Group IV: Control Techniques Guidelines in Lieu of Regulations for Miscellaneous Metal Products Coatings, Plastic Parts Coatings, Auto and Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings, Fiberglass Boat Manufacturing Materials, and Miscellaneous Industrial Adhesives
 
    2. ALL - ICR. EPA. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Environmental and Economic Effects of Environmental Conflict Resolution at EPA; EPA ICR No. 2306.01, OMB Control No. 2090-NEW
 
    3. AIR - ICR. EPA. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Nonconformance Penalties for Heavy-Duty Engines and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Including Light-Duty Trucks (Renewal); EPA ICR Number 1285.07, OMB Control Number 2060-0132
 
    4. TOXICS - NM. EPA. Notice of Meeting of the EPA's Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC)
 
    5. CLIMATE - NF. DOC/NOAA. Cooperative Institute for Satellite Climate Studies
 
    6. CLIMATE - NF. DOC/NOAA. Cooperative Institute To Investigate the Use of Satellite Applications for Regional and Global-Scale Forecast Systems
 
    7. ENERGY - FR. DOE. Energy Conservation Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner and Packaged Terminal Heat Pump Energy Conservation Standards
  
CODES USED:  THE FOLLOWING CODES ARE USED TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ANNOUNCEMENT & ISSUE AREA.  

REPORTING FORMAT: ISSUE CODE - TYPE CODE. AGENCY. ANNOUNCEMENT.
ISSUE CODES:  AIR - Air; ALL - Cross-Media, ecosystems, Env. Justice; CLIMATE - Climate Change, Global Warming; DRINK - Drinking Water, SDWA, Underground Injection; ENERGY - Energy; GLAKES  - Great Lakes; HAZ - Hazardous Waste, RCRA, HSWA, DOT/RSPA, Some Nuclear (NRC); LAND - Land Use, Forests; P2 - Pollution Prevention, Sustainability, Recycling, Pjt. XL; REMED - Remediation, Brownfields, Superfund; TANKS - AST, UST; TOXICS = Toxics, TRI, TSCA, Pesticides, Risks, RTK; TRANSPORT -  Transportation; SOLID - Solid Waste, RCRA Subtitle D; WATER - Surface Water, NPS, NPDES, Wetlands; WILDLIFE = Wildlife, Biodiversity, Endangered Species.
TYPE CODES: ANPR - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; FR - Final Rule; FRD - Direct final rule; FRI - Interim final rule; ICR - Information Collection Request; ND - Notice of data, information, reports, etc. availability; NF - Notice of Fuding Opportunity; NM - Notice of Meeting; NS - Notice of administrative/court settlement; PR - Proposed Rule; ROD - Record of decision.
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 1


Subject: AIR - FR. EPA. Notice of final determination and availability of
final control techniques guidelines. Consumer and Commercial Products, Group IV: Control Techniques Guidelines in Lieu of Regulations for Miscellaneous Metal Products Coatings, Plastic Parts Coatings, Auto and Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings, Fiberglass Boat Manufacturing Materials, and Miscellaneous Industrial Adhesives
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Rules and Regulations]              
[Page 58481-58491]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 59

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0411; FRL-8725-9]
RIN 2060-AP01

Consumer and Commercial Products, Group IV: Control Techniques
Guidelines in Lieu of Regulations for Miscellaneous Metal Products
Coatings, Plastic Parts Coatings, Auto and Light-Duty Truck Assembly
Coatings, Fiberglass Boat Manufacturing Materials, and Miscellaneous
Industrial Adhesives

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule; Notice of final determination and availability of
final control techniques guidelines.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 183(e)(3)(C) of the Clean Air Act, EPA has
determined that control techniques guidelines will be substantially as
effective as national regulations in reducing emissions of volatile
organic compounds in ozone national ambient air quality standard
nonattainment areas from the following five Group IV product
categories: miscellaneous metal products coatings, plastic parts
coatings, auto and light-duty truck assembly coatings, fiberglass boat
manufacturing materials, and miscellaneous industrial adhesives. Based
on this determination, EPA is issuing control techniques guidelines in
lieu of national regulations for these product categories. These
control techniques guidelines will provide guidance to the States
concerning EPA's recommendations for reasonably available control
technology-level controls for these product categories. EPA further
takes final action to list the five Group IV consumer and commercial
product categories addressed in this notice pursuant to CAA Section
183(e).

DATES: This final action is effective on October 7, 2008.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established the following dockets for these actions:
Consumer and Commercial Products, Group IV--Determination to Issue
Control Techniques Guidelines in Lieu of Regulations, Docket No. EPA-
HQ-OAR-2008-0411; Consumer and Commercial Products--Miscellaneous Metal
and Plastic Parts Coatings, Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0412; Consumer
and Commercial Products--Auto and Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings,
Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0413; Consumer and Commercial Products--
Fiberglass Boat Manufacturing Materials, Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-
0415; and Consumer and Commercial Products--Miscellaneous Industrial
Adhesives, Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0460. All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., confidential
business information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted
material, is not placed on the Internet and is publicly available only
in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available
either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. The Public Reading Room
is open from 8:30 a.m. to 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 Air Docket is (202)
566-1742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning the Clean
Air Act (CAA) Section 183(e) consumer and commercial products program,
contact Mr. Bruce Moore, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Natural Resources and
Commerce Group (E143-03), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711,
telephone number: (919) 541-5460, fax number: (919) 541-3470, e-mail
address: moore.bruce@epa.gov. For further information on technical
issues concerning the determination and control techniques guidelines
(CTG) documents for miscellaneous metal and plastic parts coatings, or
for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials, contact: Ms. Kaye
Whitfield, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards,
Sector Policies and Programs Division, Natural Resources and Commerce
Group (E143-03), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711,
telephone number: (919) 541-2509, fax number: (919) 541-3470, e-mail
address: whitfield.kaye@epa.gov. For further information on technical
issues concerning the determination and CTG for auto and light-duty
truck assembly coatings or the revision of the Automobile Topcoat
Protocol, contact: Mr. Dave Salman, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Coatings
and Chemicals Group (E143-01), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27711, telephone number: (919) 541-0859, fax number: (919) 541-3470, e-
mail address: salman.dave@epa.gov. For further information on technical
issues concerning the determination and CTG for miscellaneous
industrial adhesives, contact: Ms. Martha Smith, U.S. EPA, Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs
Division, Natural Resources and Commerce Group (E143-03), Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number: (919) 541-2421,
fax number: (919) 541-3470, e-mail address: smith.martha@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 2


Subject: ALL - ICR. EPA. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Environmental and Economic Effects of Environmental
Conflict Resolution at EPA; EPA ICR No. 2306.01, OMB Control No. 2090-
NEW
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58580-58582]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OGC-2007-0982; FRL-8726-1]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Environmental and Economic Effects of Environmental
Conflict Resolution at EPA; EPA ICR No. 2306.01, OMB Control No. 2090-
NEW

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to
submit a request for a new Information Collection Request (ICR) to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting the ICR to OMB
for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects
of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OGC-2007-0982 by one of the following methods:
    http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: oei.docket@epa.gov.
    Fax: (202) 566-9744.
    Mail: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460.
    Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection
Agency, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Hall, 2388A, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 564-0214; fax number: (202) 501-1715; e-mail
address: hall.william@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 3


Subject: AIR - ICR. EPA. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Nonconformance Penalties for
Heavy-Duty Engines and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Including Light-Duty Trucks (Renewal); EPA ICR Number 1285.07, OMB Control Number 2060-0132
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58582-58583]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0120; FRL-8725-8]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment Request; Nonconformance Penalties for
Heavy-Duty Engines and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Including Light-Duty Trucks
(Renewal); EPA ICR Number 1285.07, OMB Control Number 2060-0132

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an
existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below,
describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated
burden and cost.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before November 6,
2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2005-0120, to (1) EPA online using http://www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method), by e-mail to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov, or by mail to:
EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation
Docket, Mail Code 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460, and (2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer
for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nydia Yanira Reyes-Morales,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Mail Code
6403J, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-343-9264; fax
number: 202-343-2804; e-mail address: reyes-morales.nydia@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 4


Subject: TOXICS - NM. EPA. Notice of Meeting of the EPA's Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC)
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58589-58590]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8725-7]

Notice of Meeting of the EPA's Children's Health Protection
Advisory Committee (CHPAC)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given that the next meeting of
the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC) will be
held October 21-23, 2008 at The Churchill Hotel, Washington, DC. The
CHPAC was created to advise the Environmental Protection Agency on
science, regulations, and other issues relating to children's
environmental health.

DATES: The CHPAC will meet on Tuesday, October 21, Wednesday, October
22, and Thursday, October 23, 2008 at The Churchill Hotel.

ADDRESSES: The Churchill Hotel, 1914 Connecticut Ave NW., Washington DC
20009, Suite 275.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Hubbard, Child and Aging
Health Protection Division, USEPA, MC 1107A, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20460, (202) 564-2189, hubbard.carolyn@epa.gov.

 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 5


Subject: CLIMATE - NF. DOC/NOAA. Cooperative Institute for Satellite Climate Studies
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58560-58563]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 0809261277-81278-01 I.D. GF001]

Cooperative Institute for Satellite Climate Studies

AGENCY: National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service
Program Office (NESDISPO), National Environmental Satellite Data and
Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information
Services (NESDIS) invites applications for a Cooperative Institute (CI)
that will focus on (1) Climate and satellite research and applications,
(2) climate and satellite observations and monitoring, and (3) climate
research and modeling. Through this competition, NOAA intends to
establish competitively a new CI according to the policy and procedures
described in NOAA Administrative Order 216?107 and the Cooperative
Institute Interim Handbook both available at http://www.nrc.noaa.gov/
ci
. The proposed CI should be composed of two or more member
institutions (e.g., multiple universities). At least one research
institution should be in Maryland, Washington DC or the adjacent states
(Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia). At least two
research institutions should be in North Carolina or the adjacent
states (Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia), with a
presence in Asheville, North Carolina. NOAA has identified three
research themes that will address specific needs within the NOAA
Mission Support Satellite Service program and the NOAA Climate Goal
that would benefit from collaborations with the CI. The CI should
possess outstanding capabilities to work in the three research themes
summarized below, as well as possess the capability to conduct outreach
and education activities in support of these research themes. I.
Climate and Satellite Research and Applications: Research conducted
under this theme is associated with the development of new and
innovative uses of non-NOAA satellite assets that can ultimately be
transitioned into NOAA operations to support climate information needs.
This theme also includes performing research and development aimed at
improving the utilization of long time series of satellite measurements
that will offer NOAA scientists a homogeneous record of satellite
radiances. II. Climate and Satellite Observations and Monitoring:
Research conducted under this theme involves (1) Designing indices and
applications that incorporate satellite observations to detect, monitor
and investigate climatic changes and their impacts on coastal and open
ocean ecosystems, (2) identifying and meeting the satellite climate
needs of a wide variety of users, including research, business and
industry, and government and private sector users, and (3) contributing
significantly to climate reanalysis projects when satellite data is a
key input. III. Climate Research and Modeling: Research conducted under
this theme is focused on improving climate forecasts on mesoscale,
regional and global scales when satellite data is a key input, and
developing regional ecosystem models that can incorporate satellite
observations to predict the impact of climate change on these
ecosystems, particularly those located in the Mid-Atlantic region. The
CI is also expected to play a significant role in National Centers for
Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Test Bed projects when
satellite data is a key input. This announcement provides requirements
for the proposed CI and includes details for the technical program,
evaluation criteria, and competitive selection procedures. Applicants
should review the NOAA CI Policy and CI Interim Handbook (both
available at http://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) prior to preparing a proposal
for this announcement.

DATES: Proposals must be received by NESDIS no later than January 5,
2009 5 p.m., E.T. Proposals submitted after that date will not be
considered.

ADDRESSES: The standard application package is available at http://
www.grants.gov
. For applicants without Internet access, an application
package may be received by contacting Ingrid Guch, NOAA/NESDIS, 5200
Auth Road, Room 701, Camp Springs, Maryland 20746. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to apply online through the Grants.gov website.
Paper submissons are only acceptable only if internet access is not
available. Grants.gov requires applicants to register with the system
prior to submitting an application. This registration process can take
several weeks, involving multiple steps. In order to allow sufficient
time for this process, you should register as soon as you decide that
you intend to apply, even if you are not yet ready to submit your
proposal. If an applicant has problems
downloading the application package from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov
Customer Support at (800)518-4726 or support@grants.gov. For non-
Windows computer systems, please see http://www.grants.gov/MacSupport
for information on how to download and submit an application through
Grants.gov. If a hard copy application is submitted, please include an
original of two unbound copies of the proposal. Paper submissions
should be submitted to Mrs. Guch at the above-listed address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the Federal Funding
Opportunity announcement and/or application package, please access
grants.gov; the NOAA Cooperative Institute Web site (http://
www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci
) or contact Ingrid Guch, NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth
Road, Room 701; Camp Springs, Maryland 20746, or by phone at (301) 763-
8282 ext. 152, or fax to (301) 763-8108, or via internet at
ingrid.guch@noaa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 6


Subject: CLIMATE - NF. DOC/NOAA. Cooperative Institute To Investigate the Use of Satellite Applications for Regional and Global-Scale Forecast Systems
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58563-58566]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

[Docket No. 0809181228-81232-01; I.D. GF001]

Cooperative Institute To Investigate the Use of Satellite
Applications for Regional and Global-Scale Forecast Systems

AGENCY: OAR Cooperative Institutes Program Office (CIPO), Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NOAA Office of Oceans and Atmospheric Research (OAR) invites
applications for a Cooperative Institute (CI) that will collaborate
with NOAA scientists to improve weather forecast and warning accuracy;
contribute to improvements in water resource forecasting capabilities;
provide integrated weather information to meet future aviation and
surface transportation needs; advance satellite sensor technology;
develop high-performance computing, visualization, and scientific
workstation technologies; and enhance environmental literacy to improve
understanding. The CI would also conduct research needed to develop
multiscale (global to local) data assimilation techniques with a strong
satellite data emphasis, and provide the scientific expertise and the
necessary computing infrastructure to help NOAA move forward on these
issues. Through this competition, NOAA intends to establish
competitively a new CI according to the policy and procedures described
in NOAA Administrative Order 216-107 and the Cooperative Institute
Interim Handbook both available at http://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ ci/. The
proposed CI should be within daily commuting distance of NOAA
facilities in Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado. NOAA has identified
five research themes that will address identified needs within the NOAA
Weather and Water Goal that would benefit from collaborations with the
CI.
    I. Satellite algorithm development, training and education.
Research conducted under this theme is associated with development of
satellite-based algorithms for weather forecasting, with emphasis on
regional and mesoscale meteorological phenomenon. This work includes
applications of basic satellite products such as feature track winds,
thermodynamic retrievals, sea surface temperature, etc., in combination
with model analyses and forecasts, as well as in situ and other remote
sensing observations. Applications can be for current or future
satellites. Also under this theme, satellite and related training
material will be developed and delivered to a wide variety of users,
with emphasis on operational forecasters. A variety of techniques can
be used, including distance learning methods, Web-based demonstration
projects and instructor-led training.
    II. Regional to Global Scale Modeling Systems. Research conducted
under this theme is associated with the improvement of weather/climate
models (minutes to months) that simulate and predict changes in the
Earth system. Topics include atmospheric and ocean dynamics, radiative
forcing, clouds and moist convection, land surface modeling, hydrology,
and coupled modeling of the earth system.
    III. Data Assimilation. Research conducted under this theme will
develop and improve techniques to assimilate environmental
observations, including satellite, terrestrial, oceanic, and biological
observations, to produce the best estimate of the environmental state
at the time of the observations for use in analysis, modeling, and
prediction activities associated with weather/climate predications
(minutes to months) and analysis.
    IV. Climate-Weather Processes. Research conducted under this theme
will focus on using numerical models and environmental data, including
satellite observations, to understand processes that are important to
creating environmental changes on weather and
short-term climate timescales (minutes to months) and the two-way
interactions between weather systems and regional climate.
    V. Data Distribution. Research conducted under this theme will
focus on identifying effective and efficient methods of quickly
distributing and displaying very large sets of environmental and model
data using data networks, using web map services, data compression
algorithms, and other techniques.
    This announcement provides requirements for the proposed CI and
includes details for the technical program, evaluation criteria, and
competitive selection procedures. Applicants should review CI Interim
Handbook (available at http://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) prior to preparing a
proposal for this announcement.

DATES: Proposals must be received by OAR no later than January 5, 2009
5 p.m., E.T. Proposals submitted after that date will not be
considered.

ADDRESSES: Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online through
the Grants.Gov Web site http://www.grants.gov. Paper submissions are
acceptable only if internet access is not available. Grants.gov
requires applicants to register with the system prior to submitting an
application. This registration process can take several weeks,
involving multiple steps. In order to allow sufficient time for this
process, you should register as soon as you decide that you intend to
apply, even if you are not yet ready to submit your proposal. If an
applicant has problems downloading the application package from
Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at (800)518-4726 or
support@grants.gov. For non-Windows computer systems, please see http:/
/www.grants.gov/MacSupport
for information on how to download and
submit an application through Grants.gov. If a hard copy application is
submitted, the original and two unbound copies of the proposal should
be included. Paper submissions should be sent to: Mr. Philip L.
Hoffman, 1315 East West Highway, Room 11308, Silver Spring, Maryland
20910; telephone (301) 734-1096. No e-mail or facsimile proposal
submissions will be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the Federal Funding
Opportunity announcement and/or an application package, please access
Grants.gov, the NOAA Cooperative Institute Web site (www.nrc.noaa.gov/
ci
) or contact Mr. Philip L. Hoffman, 1315 East West Highway, Room
11308, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; telephone (301) 734-1096; e-mail:
Philip.Hoffman@noaa.gov.

 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
 
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 7


Subject: ENERGY - FR. DOE. Energy Conservation Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner and Packaged Terminal Heat
Pump Energy Conservation Standards
 
[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Rules and Regulations]              
[Page 58771-58830]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[Docket Number: EERE-2007-BT-STD-0012]
RIN 1904-AB44

Energy Conservation Program for Commercial and Industrial
Equipment: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner and Packaged Terminal Heat
Pump Energy Conservation Standards

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) has determined that its
adoption of amended energy conservation standards for commercial
standard size packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged
terminal heat pumps (PTHPs), at efficiency levels more stringent than
those in American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society of
North America (IESNA) Standard 90.1-1999, is supported by clear and
convincing evidence that such standards would result in significant
additional conservation of energy and are technologically feasible and
economically justified. On this basis, DOE is today amending the
existing energy conservation standards for these types of equipment. In
addition, DOE has determined that its adoption of amended energy
conservation standards more stringent than the efficiency levels
specified by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999 for non-standard size PTACs and
PTHPs is not supported by clear and convincing evidence, thus, DOE is
adopting the efficiency levels in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999 for non-
standard size PTACs and PTHPs in today's final rule.

DATES: The effective date of this rule is November 6, 2008. The
standards established in today's final rule will be applicable starting
October 8, 2012 for standard size PTACs and PTHPs. The standards
established in today's final rule will be applicable starting October
7, 2010 for non-standard size PTACs and PTHPs.

ADDRESSES: For access to the docket to read background documents, the
technical support document, transcripts of the public meetings in this
proceeding, or comments received, visit the U.S. Department of Energy,
Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza,
SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For more
information about visiting the Resource Room, please call Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586-2945. (Note: DOE's Freedom of Information Reading
Room no longer houses rulemaking materials.) You may also obtain copies
of the final rule notice in this proceeding, related documents (e.g.,
the notice of proposed rulemaking and technical support document DOE
used to reassess whether to adopt certain efficiency levels in ASHRAE
Standard 90.1), draft analyses, public meeting materials, and related
test procedure documents from the Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy's Web site at http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/commercial/packaged_ac_hp.html
.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wes Anderson, Project Manager, Energy
Conservation Standards for Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and
Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Phone: (202)
586-7335. E-mail: Wes.Anderson@ee.doe.gov.
    Francine Pinto, Esq., or Michael Kido, Esq., U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of General Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585. Phone: (202) 586-9507. E-mail:
Francine.Pinto@hq.doe.gov or Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.

 
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Monday, October 6, 2008

Environmental Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 194, October 6, 2008

Please See The Readers Note In the Right Column
 
Federal Register
Vol. 73, No. 194
Monday, October 6, 2008
 
There are 9 announcements in this issue
 
    1. AIR - FRD. EPA. The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events (Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule To Support Initial Area Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS
 
    2. AIR - PR. EPA. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources
 
    3. HAZ, TOXICS, TRANSPORT - PR. EPA. Revisions to: The Requirements for Transboundary Shipments of Wastes Between OECD Countries, the Requirements for Export Shipments of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries, the Requirements on Submitting Exception Reports for Export Shipments of Hazardous Wastes, and the Requirements for Imports of Hazardous Wastes
 
    4. AIR - PR. EPA. The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events
(Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule for Monitoring Data Used in Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS
 
    5. WATER - ND. EPA. Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
 
    6. TOXICS - ND. EPA. Certain New Chemicals; Receipt and Status Information
 
    7. AIR, WATER - NS. EPA. Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act; Merit Energy Company, LLC and Shell Exploration & Production Co
 
    8. TRANSPORT - ND. DOT. No FEAR Act Notice; Notice of Rights and Protections Available Under the Federal Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws
 
    9. ENERGY/Coal - NM. DOE. National Coal Council; Notice of Open Meeting
 
  
CODES USED:  THE FOLLOWING CODES ARE USED TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ANNOUNCEMENT & ISSUE AREA.  

REPORTING FORMAT: ISSUE CODE - TYPE CODE. AGENCY. ANNOUNCEMENT.
ISSUE CODES:  AIR - Air; ALL - Cross-Media, ecosystems, Env. Justice; CLIMATE - Climate Change, Global Warming; DRINK - Drinking Water, SDWA, Underground Injection; ENERGY - Energy; GLAKES  - Great Lakes; HAZ - Hazardous Waste, RCRA, HSWA, DOT/RSPA, Some Nuclear (NRC); LAND - Land Use, Forests; P2 - Pollution Prevention, Sustainability, Recycling, Pjt. XL; REMED - Remediation, Brownfields, Superfund; TANKS - AST, UST; TOXICS = Toxics, TRI, TSCA, Pesticides, Risks, RTK; TRANSPORT -  Transportation; SOLID - Solid Waste, RCRA Subtitle D; WATER - Surface Water, NPS, NPDES, Wetlands; WILDLIFE = Wildlife, Biodiversity, Endangered Species.
TYPE CODES: ANPR - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; FR - Final Rule; FRD - Direct final rule; FRI - Interim final rule; ICR - Information Collection Request; ND - Notice of data, information, reports, etc. availability; NF - Notice of Fuding Opportunity; NM - Notice of Meeting; NS - Notice of administrative/court settlement; PR - Proposed Rule; ROD - Record of decision.
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 1


Subject: AIR - FRD. EPA. The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events
(Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule To Support Initial Area Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Rules and Regulations]              
[Page 58042-58047]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 50

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159; FRL-8725-5]
RIN 2060-AP28

The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events
(Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging
Submittal and Documentation Schedule To Support Initial Area
Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to amend the Exceptional
Events Rule to provide a revised exceptional event data flagging and
documentation schedule for ozone data that may be used for designations
under the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS).
The Exceptional Events Rule states that when EPA sets a NAAQS for a new
pollutant or revises the NAAQS for an existing pollutant, EPA may
revise or set a new schedule for flagging data for those NAAQS. EPA
recently revised the primary and secondary ozone NAAQS to protect
public health and welfare; the revised standards became effective on
May 27, 2008. Consistent with the process envisioned in the Exceptional
Events Rule, this direct final action revises the dates for flagging
data and submitting documentation regarding exceptional events under
the revised ozone NAAQS. This revised schedule allows EPA to fully
consider state requests for exceptional event concurrence prior to EPA
making final designations.

DATES: The direct final rule is effective on December 22, 2008 without
further notice, unless EPA receives adverse
comment by November 20, 2008. If EPA receives an adverse comment, we
will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the
public that this direct final rule will not take effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2005-0159, by one of the following methods:
    http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Attention Docket ID No.
EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159.
    Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2005-0159.
    Mail: EPA Docket Center, EPA West (Air Docket), Attention
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159, Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (Air Docket), Attention
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159, Environmental Protection Agency,
1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 3334; Washington, DC. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas E. Link, Air Quality Planning
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Mail Code C539-
04, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina 27711; telephone number: 919-541-5456; fax number: 919-541-
0824; e-mail address: link.tom@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 2


Subject: AIR - PR. EPA. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Proposed Rules]              
[Page 58351-58385]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 63

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0334; FRL-8720-8]
RIN 2060-AM19

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for
Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing national emissions standards for hazardous
air pollutants for nine area source categories in the chemical
manufacturing sector: Agricultural Chemicals and Pesticides
Manufacturing, Cyclic Crude and Intermediate Production, Industrial
Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing, Industrial Organic Chemical
Manufacturing, Inorganic Pigments Manufacturing, Miscellaneous Organic
Chemical Manufacturing, Plastic Materials and Resins Manufacturing,
Pharmaceutical Production, and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing. The
proposed standards and associated requirements for the nine area source
categories are combined in one subpart. The proposed emissions
standards for new and existing sources are based on EPA's determination
regarding the generally available control technology or management
practices for the nine area source categories. EPA is co-proposing an
alternative to the requirements for process vents emitting metal
hazardous air pollutants. The alternative would set a higher size
threshold for large metal hazardous air pollutant process vents.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 5, 2008, unless
a public hearing is requested by October 16, 2008. If a hearing is
requested on the proposed rule, written comments must be received by
November 20, 2008. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the
information collection provisions must be received by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) on or before November 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2008-0334, by one of the following methods:
    http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
    Fax: (202) 566-9744.
    Mail: U.S. Postal Service: send comments to: National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical
Manufacturing Area Sources Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
Docket Center, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of two copies. We request
that a separate copy also be sent to the contact person identified
below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Hand Delivery: In person or by courier, deliver comments
to: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA West Building, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.
  
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randy McDonald, Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, Sector Policies and Programs Division,
Coatings and Chemicals Group (E143-01), Environmental Protection
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number:
(919) 541-5402; fax number: (919) 541-0246; e-mail address:
mcdonald.randy@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 3


Subject: HAZ, TOXICS, TRANSPORT - PR. EPA. Revisions to: The Requirements for Transboundary Shipments of Wastes Between OECD Countries, the Requirements for Export Shipments of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries, the Requirements on Submitting Exception Reports for Export Shipments of Hazardous Wastes, and the Requirements
for Imports of Hazardous Wastes
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Proposed Rules]              
[Page 58387-58416]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 262, 264, 265, 266, and 271

[EPA-HQ-RCRA-2005-0018; FRL-8720-3]
RIN 2050-AE93

Revisions to: The Requirements for Transboundary Shipments of
Wastes Between OECD Countries, the Requirements for Export Shipments of
Spent Lead-Acid Batteries, the Requirements on Submitting Exception
Reports for Export Shipments of Hazardous Wastes, and the Requirements
for Imports of Hazardous Wastes

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule proposes to amend certain existing regulations
promulgated under the hazardous waste provisions of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regarding the export and import of
hazardous wastes from and into the United States. Specifically, we are
proposing to modify: The requirements to implement the OECD framework
concerning the transboundary movement of hazardous waste among
countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), including reducing the number of control levels,
exempting qualifying shipments sent for laboratory analyses from
certain paperwork requirements, requiring recovery facilities to submit
a certificate of recovery, adding provisions for the return or re-
export of wastes subject to the Amber control procedures, and
clarifying certain existing provisions that were identified as
potentially ambiguous to the regulated community; the regulations
regarding the management of spent lead-acid batteries being reclaimed
to require appropriate notice and consent for those batteries intended
for reclamation in a foreign country; the exception reporting
requirements for hazardous waste exports to specify that all exception
reports submitted to EPA be sent to the Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance's Office of Federal Activities in Washington, DC
rather than to the Administrator; and the hazardous waste import
requirements such that U.S. importers would give the initial
transporter a copy of the EPA-provided documentation confirming EPA's
consent to the import when they provide the RCRA hazardous waste
manifest, and that the documentation would be submitted by the U.S.
receiving facility to EPA along with the RCRA hazardous waste manifest
within thirty days of import shipment delivery. Finally, separate from
this proposed rule, EPA is publishing in http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/
hazard/international/oecd-slab-rule.htm
a draft guidance document on
how U.S. receiving facilities may request EPA to identify them as pre-
approved facilities to receive hazardous waste from OECD Member
countries.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 5, 2008. Under
the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the information collection
provisions must be received by OMB on or before November 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
RCRA-2005-0018, by one of the following methods:
    http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: rcra-docket@epa.gov, Attention Docket No. EPA-HQ-
RCRA-2005-0018.
    Fax: (202) 566-9744, Attention Docket No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-
2005-0018.
    Mail: RCRA Docket No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2005-0018, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of 2 copies. In addition,
please mail a copy of your comments on the information collection
provisions to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office
of Management and Budget (OMB), Attn: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th
St. NW., Washington, DC 20503.
    Hand Delivery: RCRA Docket No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2005-0018, EPA
West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington DC
20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal
hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
   
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Coughlan, Hazardous Waste
Identification Division, Office of Solid Waste (5304P), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (703) 308-0005; fax number: (703) 308-0514; e-mail:
coughlan.laura@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 4


Subject: AIR - PR. EPA. The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events
(Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule for Monitoring Data Used in Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Proposed Rules]              
[Page 58080-58084]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 50 and 51

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159; FRL-8725-4]
RIN 2060-AP28

The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events
(Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging
Submittal and Documentation Schedule for Monitoring Data Used in
Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to amend the Exceptional Events Rule to
provide a revised exceptional event data flagging and documentation
schedule for ozone data that may be used for designations under the
2008 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The
Exceptional Events Rule states that when EPA sets a NAAQS for a new
pollutant or revises the NAAQS for an existing pollutant, EPA may
revise or set a new schedule for flagging data for those NAAQS. EPA
recently revised the primary and secondary ozone NAAQS to protect
public health and welfare; the revised standards became effective May
27, 2008. Consistent with the process envisioned in the Exceptional
Events Rule, this proposal revises the dates for flagging data and
submitting documentation regarding exceptional events under the revised
ozone NAAQS. This revised schedule allows EPA to fully consider state
requests for exceptional event concurrence prior to EPA making final
designations.
    In the ``Rules'' section of this Federal Register, we are issuing
this action as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we
receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this
proposed rule.

DATES: Comments. Written comment must be received November 20, 2008.
    Public Hearing. If anyone contacts us requesting a public hearing
by October 16, 2008, we will hold a public hearing approximately 30
days after publication in the Federal Register. Additional information
about the hearing would be published in a subsequent Federal Register
notice.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2005-0159, by one of the following methods:
    http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Attention Docket ID No.
EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159.
    Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2005-0159.
    Mail: EPA Docket Center, EPA West (Air Docket), Attention
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159, Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (Air Docket), Attention
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0159, Environmental Protection Agency,
1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 3334; Washington, DC. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.   

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas E. Link, Air Quality Planning
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Mail Code C539-
04, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina 27711; telephone number: 919-541-5456; fax number: 919-541-
0824; e-mail address: link.tom@epa.gov.

 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 5


Subject: WATER - ND. EPA. Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58229-58230]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OW-FRL-8725-1]

Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of National List of Beaches under the
Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that EPA has updated the
National List of Beaches pursuant to Section 406(g) of the Clean Water
Act (CWA) as amended by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and
Coastal Health (BEACH) Act. EPA is publishing this list under the title
National List of Beaches. Section 406(g) requires EPA to publish a list
of discrete coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar
points of access that are used by the public and to update the list
periodically as new information becomes available. The list specifies
whether the waters are subject to a monitoring and notification program
consistent with the performance criteria (National Beach Guidance and
Required Performance Criteria for Grants June 2002) EPA published under
CWA section 406(a). The list contains information that coastal and
Great Lakes States made available to EPA as of January 31, 2008, and it
replaces the previous list that EPA published on May 4, 2004. The
National List of Beaches provides a national baseline of the extent of
monitoring of waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access,
which will allow EPA to measure State program performance in
implementing the monitoring and notification provisions of the BEACH
Act.

ADDRESSES: Address all inquiries concerning this document to Lars
Wilcut, Environmental Scientist, Office of Science and Technology, Mail
Code 4305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lars Wilcut, (202) 566-0447,
wilcut.lars@epa.gov.
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 6


Subject: TOXICS - ND. EPA. Certain New Chemicals; Receipt and Status Information
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58230-58235]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0721; FRL-8385-4]

Certain New Chemicals; Receipt and Status Information

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires
any person who intends to manufacture (defined by statute to include
import) a new chemical (i.e., a chemical not on the TSCA Inventory) to
notify EPA and comply with the statutory provisions pertaining to the
manufacture of new chemicals. Under sections 5(d)(2) and 5(d)(3) of
TSCA, EPA is required to publish a notice of receipt of a
premanufacture notice (PMN) or an application for a test marketing
exemption (TME), and to publish periodic status reports on the
chemicals under review and the receipt of notices of commencement to
manufacture those chemicals. This status report, which covers the
period from August 18, 2008 through September 12, 2008, consists of the
PMNs and TME, both pending or expired, and the notices of commencement
to manufacture a new chemical that the Agency has received under TSCA
section 5 during this time period. This status report, also includes a
PMN and TME that were inadvertently ommitted from a previous report
that covered the period from August 4, 2008 through August 15, 2008.

DATES: Comments identified by the specific PMN number or TME number,
must be received on or before November 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0721, by one of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
    Hand Delivery: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO), EPA
East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.
Attention: Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0721. The DCO is open from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the DCO is (202) 564-8930. Such deliveries are
only accepted during the DCO's normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
  
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator,
Environmental Assistance Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics (7408M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404;
e-mail address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 7


Subject: AIR, WATER - NS. EPA. Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act; Merit Energy Company, LLC and Shell Exploration & Production Co
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58267]

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act

    Pursuant to 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that, on September
30, 2008, a proposed Consent Decree in United States v. Merit Energy
Company, LLC and Shell Exploration & Production Co., Civil Action No.
1:08-cv-917 (W.D. Mich.) was lodged with the United States District
Court for the Western District of Michigan. The Consent Decree
addresses alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401-
7671q, and its implementing regulations at a natural gas processing
facility that is located approximately eight miles northeast of
Manistee, Michigan. Shell Exploration & Production Co. (``Shell'')
constructed the facility in the late 1970s and Shell owned and operated
the facility until it sold it to Merit Energy Company, LLC (``Merit'')
in December 2003. The facility includes a natural gas sweetening unit
that is used to separate sulfur-containing compounds from natural gas
extracted from nearby production wells. The facility also has two Claus
sulfur recovery units that recover elemental sulfur from the
concentrated sulfur-containing gases generated by the sweetening unit.
    The proposed Consent Decree would resolve the claims alleged in the
Complaint in exchange for the Defendants' commitment to implement
appropriate injunctive relief, pay a $500,000 civil penalty, and
perform a $1 million Supplemental Environmental Project. Among other
things, the injunctive relief provisions of the Decree would require
Merit to eliminate all routine emission of sulfur dioxide from the
facility by September 1, 2009, either by shutting the facility down or
by installing and operating a separately-permitted acid gas injection
control system. The Decree also would impose strict limits on emissions
from the facility in non-routine situations, such as during any control
equipment malfunction. Shell and Merit are jointly liable for payment
of the $500,000 civil penalty under the Decree. Finally, the Decree
would require Merit to perform a Supplemental Environmental Project, at
a cost of at least $1 million, that would involve reducing air
pollutant emissions from gas-fired compressors at several other gas
handing facilities near the Manistee natural gas processing facility.
    The Department of Justice will receive comments relating to the
Consent Decree for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this
publication. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney
General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and mailed either
electronically to pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or in hard copy to P.O.
Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611.
Comments should refer to United States v. Merit Energy Company, LLC and
Shell Exploration & Production Co., Civil Action No. 1:08-cv-917 (W.D.
Mich.) and D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-2-1-09003.
    The Consent Decree may be examined at: (1) The offices of the
United States Attorney, 330 Ionia Avenue, NW., Suite 501, Grand Rapids,
Michigan; and (2) the offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, 14th Floor, Chicago,
Illinois. During the public comment period, the Consent Decree may also
be examined on the following Department of Justice Web site: http://
www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html
. A copy of the Consent Decree
may also be obtained by mail from the Department of Justice Consent
Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-7611 or by faxing
or e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood (tonia.fleetwood@usdoj.gov),
fax no. (202) 514-0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514-1547. In
requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a
check in the amount of $14.50 (58 pages at 25 cents per page
reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury.

 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 8


Subject: TRANSPORT - ND. DOT. No FEAR Act Notice; Notice of Rights and Protections Available Under the Federal Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58292-58293]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[DOT-0ST-2008-0296]

Notice of Rights and Protections Available Under the Federal
Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary.

ACTION: No FEAR Act Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice implements Title II of the Notification and
Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002
concerning the annual obligation of Federal agencies to notify all
employees, former employees, and applicants for Federal employment of
the rights and protections available to them under the Federal
Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower Protection Laws.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caffin Gordon, Associate Director of
Policy and Quality Control Division, S-35, Departmental Office of Civil
Rights, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 202 366-4648 or
(TTY) 202-366-8538.

 
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ANNOUNCEMENT 9


Subject: ENERGY/Coal - NM. DOE. National Coal Council; Notice of Open Meeting
 
[Federal Register: October 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 194)]
[Notices]              
[Page 58216]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

National Coal Council; Notice of Open Meeting

AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the National Coal Council
(NCC). Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770)
requires notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

DATES: Friday, November 14, 2008 9 a.m.-12 Noon.

ADDRESSES: Westin Grand Hotel, 2350 M Street, NW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Kane, Phone: (202) 586-
4753, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, Washington,
DC 20585.

 
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Friday, October 3, 2008

Environmental Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 193, Friday, October 3, 2008

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Federal Register
Vol. 73, No. 193
Friday, October 3, 2008
 
There are 6 announcements in this issue
 
    1. ALL - NM. EPA. EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC); SAB Environmental Economics Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses
 
    2. ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2009-2012; Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
 
    3. ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico
 
    4. ENERGY/Nuclear, LAND - ND/Comment Extension. NRC. Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities
 
    5. TOXICS - NM. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) . Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting
 
    6. ENERGY - ND. DOE. Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement   
        

CODES USED:  THE FOLLOWING CODES ARE USED TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ANNOUNCEMENT & ISSUE AREA.  

REPORTING FORMAT: ISSUE CODE - TYPE CODE. AGENCY. ANNOUNCEMENT.
ISSUE CODES:  AIR - Air; ALL - Cross-Media, ecosystems, Env. Justice; CLIMATE - Climate Change, Global Warming; DRINK - Drinking Water, SDWA, Underground Injection; ENERGY - Energy; GLAKES  - Great Lakes; HAZ - Hazardous Waste, RCRA, HSWA, DOT/RSPA, Some Nuclear (NRC); LAND - Land Use, Forests; P2 - Pollution Prevention, Sustainability, Recycling, Pjt. XL; REMED - Remediation, Brownfields, Superfund; TANKS - AST, UST; TOXICS = Toxics, TRI, TSCA, Pesticides, Risks, RTK; TRANSPORT -  Transportation; SOLID - Solid Waste, RCRA Subtitle D; WATER - Surface Water, NPS, NPDES, Wetlands; WILDLIFE = Wildlife, Biodiversity, Endangered Species.
TYPE CODES: ANPR - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; FR - Final Rule; FRD - Direct final rule; FRI - Interim final rule; ICR - Information Collection Request; ND - Notice of data, information, reports, etc. availability; NF - Notice of Fuding Opportunity; NM - Notice of Meeting; NS - Notice of administrative/court settlement; PR - Proposed Rule; ROD - Record of decision.
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 1


Subject: ALL - NM. EPA. EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC); SAB Environmental Economics Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses
 
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]              
[Page 57621]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8724-6]

EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of
the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee
(EEAC)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is
announcing a public meeting of the SAB Environmental Economics Advisory
Committee (EEAC) to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing
Economic Analyses.

DATES: The meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern
Time) on October 23, 2008 and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 24,
2008.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the SAB Conference Center
located at 1025 F Street, NW., Suite 3705, Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing
further information regarding the public meeting and call-in numbers
may contact Dr. Holly Stallworth, Designated Federal Officer (DFO),
U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office by telephone/voice mail at
(202) 343-9867, or via e-mail at stallworth.holly@epa.gov. The SAB
mailing address is: U.S. EPA, Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. General information
about the SAB, as well as any updates concerning the meeting announced
in this notice, may be found in the SAB Web site at http://www.epa.gov/
sab
.
 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
 
 


ANNOUNCEMENT 2


Subject: ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2009-2012; Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

 
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]              
[Page 57649]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central
Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease
Sales for Years 2009-2012

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The MMS has prepared a SEIS on oil and gas lease sales
tentatively scheduled in 2009-2012 in the CPA and WPA offshore the
States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. As mandated in
the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) (Pub. L. 109-
432, December 20, 2006), MMS shall offer, as soon as practicable,
approximately 5.8 million acres located in the southeastern part of the
CPA (``181 South Area''). The CPA Sale 208 (March 2009) will be the
first sale to include the ``181 South Area.'' The SEIS analyzed newly
available information for the potential environmental effects of oil
and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in
the ``181 South Area.''

    Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40
CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
(1988)).
 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
 
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 3


Subject: ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico
 
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]              
[Page 57649-57650]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central
Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for
Proposed Sale 208.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The MMS announces the availability of the proposed Notice of
Sale for proposed Sale 208 in the CPA. This Notice is published
pursuant to 30 CFR 256.29(c) as a matter of information to the public.
With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the
Interior, pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act, provides the
affected States the opportunity to review the proposed Notice. The
proposed Notice sets forth the proposed terms and conditions of the
sale, including minimum bids, royalty rates, and rentals.

DATES: Comments on the size, timing, or location of proposed Sale 208
are due from the affected States within 60 days
following their receipt of the proposed Notice. The final Notice of
Sale will be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior
to the date of bid opening. Bid opening is currently scheduled for
March 18, 2009.
 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
 
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 4


Subject: ENERGY/Nuclear, LAND - ND/Comment Extension. NRC. Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities
 
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]              
[Page 57687-57688]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic
Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling
Facilities

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Extension of public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice revises a notice published on September 19, 2008,
in the Federal Register (73 FR 54435), which announced, in part, that
the public comment period for the NRC's draft Generic Environmental
Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (Draft
GEIS) closes on October 7, 2008. The purpose of this notice is to
extend the public comment period on the draft GEIS to November 7, 2008.

DATES: The NRC recently has held public meetings on the Draft GEIS in
Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as part of the public
comment process for the Draft GEIS. Additionally, members of the public
have been submitting written comments on the Draft GEIS since the
initial notice of availability was published on July 28, 2008 (73 FR
43795). In response to multiple requests received at the public
meetings and in writing, the comment period on the Draft GEIS is being
extended to November 7, 2008. The NRC will consider comments received
or postmarked after that date to the extent practical. Written comments
should be submitted as described in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.

ADDRESSES: Members of the public are invited and encouraged to submit
comments on the Draft GEIS to the Chief, Rulemaking, Directives, and
Editing Branch, Mailstop: T6-D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001. The NRC encourages comments submitted
electronically to be sent to NRCREP.Resource@nrc.gov. Please include
``Uranium Recovery GEIS'' in the subject line when submitting written
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the NRC's
NEPA process, or the environmental review process related to the Draft
GEIS, please contact James Park, Project Manager, Division of Waste
Management and Environmental Protection (DWMEP), Mail Stop T-8F5, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, 20555-001, by phone at 1
(800) 368-5642, extension 6935. For general or technical information
associated with the safety and licensing of uranium milling facilities,
please contact William Von Till, Branch Chief, Uranium Recovery Branch,
DWMEP, Mail Stop T-8F5, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555-0001, by phone at 1 (800) 368-5642, extension 0598.

 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
 
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENT 5


Subject: TOXICS - NM. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) . Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting
 
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]              
[Page 57732]

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of
Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will be held on
October 27-28, 2008, in room 648 at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC, The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each
day. The meeting is open to the public.
    The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs on adverse health effects that may be associated
with exposure to ionizing radiation, and to make recommendations on
proposed standards and guidelines regarding VA benefit claims based
upon exposure to ionizing radiation.
    The major items on the agenda will be discussions of medical and
scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing
radiation. On the basis of the discussions, the Committee may make
recommendations to the Secretary concerning the relationship of certain
diseases exposured to ionizing radiation. The October 28 session will
include planning for future Committee activities and assignment of
tasks among members.
    An open forum for verbal statements from the public will be
available for 30 minutes in the afternoon each day. People wishing to
make oral statements before the Committee will be accommodated on a
first-come, first-served basis and will be provided three minutes per
statement.
    Members of the public wishing to attend should contact Ms. Bernice
Green at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Compensation and Pension
Service, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, by phone at
(202) 461-9723, or by fax at (202) 275-1728. Individuals should submit
written questions or prepared statements for the Committee's review to
Ms. Green at least five days prior to the meeting. The Committee may
ask those who submit material for clarification prior to its
consideration.
 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
 
 


ANNOUNCEMENT 6


Subject: ENERGY - ND. DOE. Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal
Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement
 
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]              
[Page 57613-57616]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal
Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans
and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability (OE).

ACTION: Advance Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Section 368(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the Act),
Public Law 109-58 (August 8, 2005), directs the Secretaries of
Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, and the Interior (Secretaries)
to identify corridors (Section 368 corridors) on Federal lands in 39
States, other than the 11 contiguous Western States (Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming) (11 Western States) that might be used for
oil, gas and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission and
distribution facilities. Section 368 further requires the Secretaries
to identify these Section 368 corridors by August 8, 2009, and schedule
prompt action to designate and incorporate the Section 368 corridors
into applicable land use or equivalent plans. The designation must
specify the centerline, width and compatible uses of the Section 368
corridors.
    In proposing how and where to designate Section 368 corridors, the
Secretaries must take into account the need for upgraded and new
electricity transmission and distribution facilities to (1) Improve
reliability; (2) relieve congestion; and (3) enhance the capability of
the national grid to deliver electricity. The Section 368 corridor
designations would not authorize development but would serve as a
planning tool to identify the preferred locations for siting potential
energy transport projects in the future.
    DOE, the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) (the Agencies)
intend to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS),
entitled Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in 39 States
(DOE/EIS-0406), to identify any environmental impacts that may result
from the proposed action of designating Section 368 corridors and
incorporating them into applicable land use or equivalent plans. The
Agencies also will identify the environmental impacts from the range of
reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. DOE and DOI, through
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), intend to be co-lead agencies for
this effort; USDA, through the United States Forest Service (FS), and
DOD intend to participate as cooperating agencies.
    DOE is issuing this Advance Notice of Intent (ANOI), pursuant to 10
CFR 1021.311(b), in order to request early comments and suggestions
from Federal and State agencies, Tribal and local governments, the
public, and other interested parties. Comments and suggestions will
assist the Agencies in identifying the location of potential Section
368 corridors on Federal lands in 39 States, the preliminary range of
reasonable alternatives, screening criteria, and the potential
environmental impacts related to the Agencies' designation of Section
368 corridors on Federal land in 39 States. The early comments on the
potential location of Section 368 corridors will inform DOE's decision
on where to hold scoping meetings.
    Because the proposed action may involve actions in a floodplain or
wetland, the draft PEIS would include a floodplain and wetlands
assessment, as required by 10 CFR 1022, and the final PEIS or agency
records of decision would include a floodplain statement of findings.
The Agencies will prepare the PEIS in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality's
NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR 1500-1508; DOE's NEPA
implementing regulations promulgated pursuant to NEPA, 10 CFR 1021;
BLM's planning regulations, 43 CFR 1600; and applicable FS planning
regulations to amend land use plans.

DATES: The public comment period for this ANOI starts with the
publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue
until December 2, 2008. Comments received or postmarked after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. The Agencies plan to
issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for this PEIS following analysis of
comments and suggestions received on the ANOI. After the NOI is issued,
the Agencies will conduct public scoping meetings to assist in further
defining the scope of the PEIS and to identify significant issues to be
addressed. The dates and locations of all scoping meetings will be
announced in the NOI, subsequent Federal Register notices, and in local
media.

ADDRESSES: Comments or suggestions on the scope of the PEIS and the
proposed action should be sent to: Brian Mills at the U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; phone 202-586-8267;
facsimile at 202-586-8008; or by electronic mail at
Brian.Mills@hq.doe.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request further information about
this PEIS, the public scoping meetings, or to be placed on the PEIS
distribution list, use any of the methods listed under ADDRESSES above.
For general information on the DOE NEPA process please contact: Carol
M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-20),
U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20585-0103; phone 202-586-4600; leave a message at 800-472-2756; or
facsimile at 202-586-7031. Further information about this effort,
including maps showing Federal lands and existing infrastructure, may
be found on the project Web site at eastcorridoreis.anl.gov.

 
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT: