Pipeline Safety: Regulatory Reform for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
A Proposed Rule by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on 04/16/2020
AGENCY:
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUMMARY:
PHMSA is soliciting public comment on proposed amendments to the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations for the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines that would revise the requirements for facility response plans, revise the definition for accidents, and consider repealing, replacing, or modifying other specific regulations. The intent of these changes is to reduce regulatory burdens and improve regulatory clarity without compromising safety and environmental protection.
DATES:
Comments on this notice are due by June 15, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Submit comments, identified by Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0047, using any of the following methods:
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number for this proposed rule. If you submit your comments by mail, submit two copies. If you wish to receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments by mail, include a self-addressed stamped postcard.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Confidential business Information: Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this notice contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this notice, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Pursuant to 49 CFR 190.343, you may ask PHMSA to give confidential treatment to information you give to the agency by taking the following steps: (1) Mark each page of the original document submission containing CBI as “Confidential”; (2) send PHMSA, along with the original document, a second copy of the original document with the CBI deleted; and (3) explain why the information you are submitting is CBI. Unless you are notified otherwise, PHMSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Sayler Palabrica at sayler.palabrica@dot.gov or 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, E24-447, Washington, DC 20590. Any commentary that PHMSA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information, contact Chris Hoidal, Senior Technical Advisor, by telephone at 303-807-8833 or by email at chris.hoidal@dot.gov.
For general information, contact Sayler Palabrica, Transportation Specialist, by telephone at 202-366-0559 or by email at sayler.palabrica@dot.gov.
Exemption To Extend the Expiration Date of Certain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials
A Notice by the Transportation Security Administration on 04/15/2020
AGENCY:
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS.
ACTION:
Notice of temporary exemption.
SUMMARY:
TSA is granting a temporary exemption from requirements in 49 CFR part 1572 regarding the expiration of certain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC®s). For the duration of this exemption, TSA will extend the expiration date of TWIC®s that expired on or after March 1, 2020, by 180 days.
DATES:
This exemption becomes effective on April 10, 2020, and remains in effect through July 31, 2020, unless otherwise modified by TSA through a notice published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Hamilton, 571-227-2851, or TWIC.Issue@tsa.dhs.gov.
Standard Applied to Complaints Against Oil Pipeline Index Rate Changes
A Notice by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on 04/17/2020
AGENCY:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
ACTION:
Notice of inquiry.
SUMMARY:
Following the issuance of HollyFrontier Refining & Marketing LLC v. SFPP, L.P., 170 FERC ¶ 61,133 (2020), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) seeks comment on the Commission's recent proposal to eliminate the Substantially Exacerbate Test as the preliminary screen applied to complaints against oil pipeline index rate changes under 18 CFR 343.2(c)(1) and to apply the Percentage Comparison Test as the preliminary screen for complaints. The Commission also seeks comment on the use of the 10% threshold when applying the Percentage Comparison Test to complaints.
DATES:
Initial Comments are due June 16, 2020, and Reply Comments are due July 16, 2020.
Comments, identified by docket number, may be filed electronically at http://www.ferc.gov in acceptable native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture format. For those unable to file electronically, comments may be filed by mail or hand-delivery to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, at Health and Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Evan Steiner (Legal Information), Office of the General Counsel, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8792, Evan.Steiner@ferc.gov. Monil Patel (Technical Information), Office of Energy Market Regulation, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8296, Monil.Patel@ferc.gov.
A Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/22/2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Interim final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending the emissions reporting regulations applicable to sources that monitor and report emissions under the Acid Rain Program, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), and/or the NOX SIP Call. The amendments provide that if an affected unit fails to complete a required quality-assurance, certification or recertification, fuel analysis, or emission rate test by the applicable deadline under the regulations because of travel, plant access, or other safety restrictions implemented to address the current COVID-19 national emergency and if the unit's actual monitored data would be considered valid if not for the delayed test, the unit may temporarily continue to report actual monitored data instead of substitute data. Sources must maintain documentation, notify EPA when a test is delayed and later completed, and certify to EPA that they meet the criteria for using the amended reporting procedures. Substitute data must be reported if those criteria are not met or if monitored data are missing or are invalid for any non-emergency-related reason. Units are required to complete any delayed tests as soon as practicable after relevant emergency-related restrictions no longer apply, and the emergency period for which a unit can report valid data under the amendments is limited to the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency plus a grace period of 60 days to complete delayed tests, but no later than the date of expiration of the amendments. This action is necessary during the COVID-19 national emergency to protect on-site power plant operators and other essential personnel from unnecessary risk of exposure to the coronavirus. The amendments do not suspend emissions monitoring or reporting requirements or alter emissions standards under any program, and EPA expects the amendments not to cause any change in emissions levels. The rule therefore will not result in any harm to public health or the environment that might occur from increased emissions, and to the extent that the amendments facilitate plant operators' efforts to comply with travel and plant access restrictions imposed to protect public health during the COVID-19 emergency, the amendments will have a positive impact on public health by assisting efforts to slow the spread of the disease. EPA finds good cause to promulgate this rule without prior notice or opportunity for public comment and to make the rule effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. The amendments promulgated in this rule will expire in 180 days. EPA is also requesting comment on this rule.
DATES:
This rule is effective April 22, 2020. EPA will consider comments on this rule received on or before May 22, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0211, at https://regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA generally will not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. Additional materials related to this action, including submitted comments, can be viewed online at regulations.gov under Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0211. While the EPA Docket Center Reading Room in Washington, DC is currently closed to public visitors in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, materials related to this action may also be viewed in person at the Reading Room at such time as it reopens. Information on the location and hours of the Reading Room is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. Please call or email the contact listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT if you need alternative access to material indexed but not electronically available in the docket at regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Lifland, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Markets Division, Mail Code 6204M, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460; 202-343-9151; lifland.david@epa.gov.
Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (20-4.B)
A Proposed Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/17/2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Proposed rule.
SUMMARY:
EPA is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which are the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action would require persons to notify EPA at least 90 calendar days before commencing manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule. This action would further require that persons not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until they have submitted a Significant New Use Notice, and EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice under TSCA, and has taken any risk management actions as are required as a result of that determination.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before May 18, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0138, by one of the following methods:
Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information contact: Kenneth Moss, Chemical Control Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-9232; email address: moss.kenneth@epa.gov.
For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
2013 Liquid Chemical Categorization Updates
A Rule by the Coast Guard on 04/17/2020
AGENCY:
Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Coast Guard is finalizing its 2013 proposal to update the Liquid Chemical Categorization tables, aligning them with the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk and the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee circulars from December 2012 and 2013. This final rule corrects errors in our interim rule of August 16, 2013, and follows our supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking of October 22, 2015. The updated tables provide a list of liquid hazardous materials and liquefied and compressed gases approved for international and domestic maritime transportation, and indicate how each substance is categorized by its pollution potential, safe carriage requirements, chemical flammability, combustibility, and compatibility with other substances. This rule imposes no cost to chemical shippers and vessel owners.
DATES:
This final rule is effective May 18, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
You may view comments identified by docket number USCG-2013-0423 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information about this document call or email LT Jake Lobb, Coast Guard; telephone (202) 372-1428, email Jake.R.Lobb2@uscg.mil, or Dr. Raghunath Halder, Coast Guard; telephone (202) 372-1422, email Raghunath.Halder@uscg.mil.
A Proposed Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/17/2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
SUMMARY:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule entitled “Financial Responsibility Requirements under CERCLA Section 108(b) for Classes of Facilities in the Chemical Manufacturing Industry.” This proposal was published on February 21, 2020, and the public comment period was scheduled to end on April 21, 2020. However, a number of public interest groups have requested additional time to develop and submit comments on the proposal. In response to the request for additional time, EPA is extending the comment period through May 6, 2020.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before May 6, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ- SFUND-2019-0086, at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For more information on this document, contact Charlotte Mooney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, Mail Code 5303P, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone (703) 308-7025 or (email) mooney.charlotte@epa.gov.
A Notice by the Land Management Bureau on 04/17/2020
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice of availability.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment for the proposed Wyoming Pipeline Corridor Initiative (WPCI) within the BLM Cody, Worland, Buffalo, Casper, Lander, Pinedale, Kemmerer, Rawlins and Rock Springs field offices.
DATES:
To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments on the DEIS during comment period on the WPCI ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xpCM. Requests for information regarding the Draft EIS may be emailed to: Mail: Heather Schultz, WPCI EIS Project Manager, hschultz@blm.gov.
Copies of the Draft EIS are available on the project website at: https://go.usa.gov/xpCMr.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Heather Schultz, Project Manager, telephone 307-775-6084; address 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne Wyoming; email hschultz@blm.gov. Contact Ms. Schultz to add your name to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
TSCA Chemical Data Reporting Revisions Under TSCA Section 8(a)
A Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/09/2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Final Rule.
SUMMARY:
EPA is finalizing a rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to amend the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) requirements. The CDR rule requires manufacturers (including importers) of certain chemical substances listed on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (TSCA Inventory) to report data on chemical manufacturing, processing, and use every four years. EPA is finalizing several changes to the CDR rule to make regulatory updates that align with new statutory requirements of TSCA, to improve the CDR data collected as necessary to support the implementation of TSCA, and potentially to reduce burden for certain CDR reporters. In addition, these regulatory modifications may result in additional information to EPA and the public that is currently not collected; improve the usability and reliability of the reported data; and ensure that data are available in a timely manner.
DATES:
This final rule is effective May 11, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0321, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. 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 OPPT Docket is (202) 566-0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information contact: Susan Sharkey, Chemical Control Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-8789; email address: sharkey.susan@epa.gov.
For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave. Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
A Proposed Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/15/2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Notice of filing of petition and request for comment.
SUMMARY:
This document announces the Agency's receipt of an initial filing of a pesticide petition requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before May 15, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number by one of the following methods:
Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Goodis, Registration Division (7505P), main telephone number: (703) 305-7090, email address: RDFRNotices@epa.gov; or Robert McNally, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), main telephone number: (703) 305-7090, email address: BPPDFRNotices@epa.gov. The mailing address for each contact person is: Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001. As part of the mailing address, include the contact person's name, division, and mail code. The division to contact is listed at the end of each pesticide petition summary.
A Notice by the Environmental Protection Agency on 04/09/2020
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
As required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which was amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act in June 2016, EPA is announcing the availability of the draft scope documents for the risk evaluations to be conducted for 13 of 20 High-Priority Substances designated in December 2019. The draft scope document for each chemical substance includes the conditions of use, hazards, exposures, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations the EPA plans to consider in conducting the risk evaluation for that chemical substance. EPA is also opening a 45-calendar day comment period on these draft scope documents to allow for the public to provide additional data or information that could be useful to the Agency in finalizing the scope of the risk evaluations; comments may be submitted to this docket and the individual dockets for each of the chemical substances.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before May 26, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA- EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0131, or the applicable docket ID number for the individual chemical substances identified in Unit III., by one of the following methods:
Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information contact: Ross Geredien, Risk Assessment Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency (Mailcode 7403M), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-1864; email address: geredien.ross@epa.gov.
For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
A Proposed Rule by the Engineers Corps on 04/13/2020
AGENCY:
United States Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION:
Proposed rule.
SUMMARY:
The Department of the Army, through the United States Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”), is soliciting comments on its proposed revision of its regulation that governs the possession and transportation of firearms and other weapons at Corps water resources development projects (“projects”). This proposed revision would align the Corps regulation with the regulations of the other Federal land management agencies by removing the need for an individual to obtain written permission before possessing a weapon on Corps projects.
DATES:
Written comments must be submitted on or before June 12, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments, identified by docket number COE-Start Printed Page 204612018-0008, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: Firearms@usace.army.mil. Include the docket number, COE-2018-0008, in the subject line of the message.
Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-N, Steve Austin 3F68, 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Due to security requirements, the Corps cannot receive comments by hand delivery or courier.
Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number COE-2018-0008. All comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available on-line at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the commenter indicates that the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI, or otherwise protected, through regulations.gov or email. The regulations.gov website is an anonymous access system, which means we will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email directly to the Corps without going through regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the internet. If you submit an electronic comment, we recommend that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any compact disc you submit. If we cannot read your comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, such as CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephen Austin, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Regulatory Community of Practice, Washington, DC at 202-761-4489.