[Federal Register: August 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 163)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 45037-45038] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr24au98-16] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Parts 72 and 73 [FRL-6150-2] RIN 2060-AH60 Revisions to the Permits and Sulfur Dioxide Allowance System Regulations Under Title IV of the Clean Air Act AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Title IV of the Clean Air Act (the Act), as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, authorizes [[Page 45038]] the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) to establish the Acid Rain Program. The program sets emissions limitations to reduce acidic particles and deposition and their serious, adverse effects on natural resources, ecosystems, materials, visibility, and public health. The allowance trading component of the Acid Rain Program allows utilities to achieve sulfur dioxide emissions reductions in the most cost-effective way. Allowances are traded among utilities and recorded in EPA's Allowance Tracking System for use in determining compliance at the end of each year. The Acid Rain Program's permitting, allowance trading, and emissions monitoring requirements are set forth in the ``core rules'' promulgated on January 11, 1993. On August 3, 1998 (63 FR 41358) EPA published a proposal that would amend certain provisions in the permitting and Allowance Tracking System rules for the purpose of improving the operation of the Allowance Tracking System and the allowance market, while still preserving the Act's environmental goals. This document extends the comment period on that notice of proposed rulemaking until September 17, 1998. DATES: Comments. Comments on the August 3, 1998 proposed rule must be received on or before September 17, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted in duplicate, to: EPA Air Docket, Attention, Docket No. A-98-15, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. Docket. Docket No. A-98-15, containing supporting information used in developing the proposed rule, is available for public inspection and copying between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at EPA's Air Docket Section, Waterside Mall, room 1500, 1st Floor, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Deneen, Permits and Allowance Market Branch, Acid Rain Division (6204J), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460 (202-564- 9089). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice of proposed rulemaking for this action (63 FR 41358, August 3, 1998) provided for a 30 day comment period ending on September 2, 1998, unless a public hearing was requested, in which case the comment period would be extended 15 days until September 17, 1998. The Agency has received a request that the comment period be extended until September 17, 1998, without a public hearing (see docket Item A-98-15-IV-D-1). That request indicated that in the event EPA declined to extend the comment period in this manner, the request constituted a request for a public hearing, which would have the same effect of extending the comment period. In the interest of full public participation in this rulemaking, and in recognition that the Agency should not require the public to present testimony at a public hearing for the procedural reason to extend the written comment period, the Agency with this document extends the comment period until September 17, 1998. Because no public hearing was requested by the August 13, 1998 deadline specified in the original document, no public hearing will be held on this rulemaking. Dated: August 14, 1998. Brian McLean, Director, Acid Rain Division. [FR Doc. 98-22653 Filed 8-21-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P