[Federal Register: October 30, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 210)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 66097]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30oc02-28]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 86
[AMS-FRL-7401-9]
RIN 2060-AJ90
Control of Emissions From Spark Ignition Marine Vessels and
Highway Motorcycles; Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is extending the comment
period for a proposed rule addressing new emission standards for spark-
ignition marine vessels and highway motorcycles. The proposed rule was
published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2002 (67 FR 53050). The
comment period for the proposed rule is extended by 60 days and thus
will end on January 7, 2003.
DATES: Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through January
7, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Comments: You may send written comments in paper form or by
e-mail. We must receive them by November 8, 2002. Send paper copies of
written comments (in duplicate if possible) to the contact person
listed below. You may also submit comments via e-mail to
MCNPRM@epa.gov. In your correspondence, refer to Docket A-2000-02.
Docket: Materials relevant to this rulemaking are contained in Public
Docket Number A-2000-02 at the following address: EPA Docket Center
(EPA/DC), Public Reading Room, Room B102, EPA West Building, 1301
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on government holidays. You can reach the Reading Room
by telephone at (202) 566-1742, and by facsimile at (202) 566-1741. The
telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742. You may be
charged a reasonable fee for photocopying docket materials, as provided
in 40 CFR part 2.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Borushko, U.S. EPA, National
Vehicle and Fuels Emission Laboratory, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI
48105; Telephone (734) 214-4334; FAX: (734) 214-4816; e-mail:
borushko.margaret@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA published a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register of August 14, 2002 (67 FR
53049). That document included a deadline for written comments of
November 8, 2002. Since that time, we have received requests for an
extension of that deadline to allow additional time to review and
comment on the proposed emission standards and related requirements. As
a result of such requests, EPA is extending the comment period on the
proposed rule to January 7, 2003.
The requests received by the EPA regarding an extension of the
comment period have several common concerns. These common concerns
involve issues such as: impact on small businesses; technical
feasibility of the standards; cost of the standards; the contribution
of motorcycles and boats to pollution; and impacts on performance and
safety. The EPA continues to study and evaluate these issues and many
others, and will consider all relevant information presented by
stakeholders. The extended comment period allows stakeholders an
increased opportunity to participate in the regulatory process by
providing additional information, preferably with supporting data,
regarding these and other issues to the EPA.
In the NPRM we requested comment on promulgating standards that
would require the use of low permeability fuel tanks and fuel hoses on
highway motorcycles. We did not, however, specifically propose such
requirements, and although the NPRM preamble language detailed what
these requirements might look like and draft regulatory language was
placed in the public docket, no proposed regulatory language was
included in the NPRM. However, since the NPRM was published, EPA has
finalized regulations for recreational vehicles that include
requirements for control of permeation emissions from fuel tanks and
hoses. If we were to finalize requirements for permeation control from
highway motorcycles, it is highly likely that the regulations would be
modeled after those in the recently finalized recreational vehicle
regulations. Interested parties wishing more detail on the type of
regulatory program EPA is considering for highway motorcycle permeation
control are encouraged to review the recreational vehicle requirements.
The final rule for recreational vehicles is available on the EPA web
site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/recveh.htm. When the recreational
vehicle final rule is published in the Federal Register we will place a
copy of it in Docket A-2000-02 so that interested parties may review it
during the extended comment period.
Additionally, at the public hearing on the proposed motorcycle
provisions testimony was presented that encouraged EPA to ensure that
the proposed emission standards be applicable to engine manufacturers
as well as motorcycle manufacturers. We request additional comment on
this issue. Although the current federal requirements do not
specifically apply to motorcycle engines and motorcycle engine
manufacturers, the California requirements with which we proposed to
harmonize clearly do apply to these entities, and at least one engine
manufacturer is currently certifying engines to the California and
federal requirements.
The testimony from the public hearings and other materials have
been placed in the docket since we published the proposal, and the
hearing transcripts have been placed in the docket and on the EPA
Office of Transportation and Air Quality web site. Additional
information will be placed in the docket as it becomes available. We
therefore encourage interested parties to stay abreast of docketed
materials and to periodically check the following web pages for
updates:
Highway Motorcycles
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/roadbike.htm.
Gasoline Boats and Personal Watercraft
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marinesi.htm.
Dated: October 22, 2002.
Robert Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 02-27616 Filed 10-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P