[Federal Register: February 1, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 22)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4941-4942]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe02-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
49 CFR Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, and 180
[Docket No. RSPA-98-3554 (HM-213)]
RIN 2137-AC90
Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Cargo Tanks; Correction and
Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; correction and extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: On December 4, 2001, RSPA published a notice of proposed
rulemaking to update and clarify the regulations on the construction
and maintenance of cargo tank motor vehicles. In response to requests
by members of the regulated community, the comment period for the
proposed rule is extended until April 4, 2002, to provide commenters
additional time. In addition, we are correcting a minor citation error
in the proposed regulatory text.
DATES: Submit comments by April 4, 2002. To the extent possible, we
will consider comments received after this
[[Page 4942]]
date in making our decision on a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Dockets Management System, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Room PL 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify Docket Number RSPA-
98-3554 (HM-213), and be submitted in two copies. If you wish to
receive confirmation of receipt of your written comments, include a
self-addressed, stamped postcard. You may also e-mail comments by
accessing the Dockets Management System web site at ``http://
dms.dot.gov/'' and following the instructions for submitting a document
electronically. If you prefer, you can fax comments to 202-493-2251 for
filing in the docket.
The Dockets Management System is located on the Plaza level of the
Nassif Building at the Department of Transportation at the above
address. You can review public dockets there between the hours of 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. You
can also review comments on-line at the DOT Dockets Management System
web site at
``http://dms.dot.gov/.''
We are experiencing some delays in mail deliveries as a result of
ongoing efforts to ensure that mail is not contaminated with infectious
or harmful materials. We encourage you to take advantage of the
opportunities provided by the DOT Dockets Management System to submit
comments electronically or by fax.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Johnsen (202) 366-8553, Office
of Hazardous Materials Standards, Research and Special Programs
Administration.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 4, 2001, the Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA, we) published a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) (66 FR 63096) under Docket RSPA-98-3554 (HM-213) to update and
clarify the regulations on the construction and maintenance of cargo
tank motor vehicles. The proposed rule also addressed three National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations and several
petitions for rulemaking.
Under 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1.73(d), the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is delegated authority to
enforce the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180)
, with particular emphasis on highway transportation, including
regulations for construction and maintenance of cargo tank motor
vehicles. FMCSA and RSPA work closely with the regulated industry
through educational assistance activities and FMCSA's compliance and
enforcement program. During these activities, we identified several
areas in the current regulations that need updating or clarification.
In addition, we received requests for clarification of the regulations
and petitions for rulemaking. NTSB has also made several safety
recommendations concerning cargo tank motor vehicles. In the NPRM, we
proposed revisions that would apply to all cargo tank motor vehicles,
and revisions that would apply to certain specification cargo tank
motor vehicles used to transport certain ladings.
On December 27, 2001, the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association
(TTMA) requested an extension of the comment period (closing date of
February 4, 2002). TTMA requested the extension because the TTMA Tank
Conference Engineering Committee will be meeting February 26-27, 2002,
in Los Angeles, CA to discuss a number of issues addressed in docket
HM-213. TTMA asked for additional comment time to properly acknowledge
all of its members' thoughts and concerns. In addition, on January 11,
2002, a representative of the National Propane Gas Association,
National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc., Petroleum Marketers Association of
America, and the Petroleum Transportation and Storage Association
requested an extension of the comment period to allow for detailed
analysis. RSPA agrees that extending the comment period on this
technically complex rulemaking is in the public interest because it
will assure thorough consideration of the proposals by all affected
entities. Therefore, we are extending the comment period to April 4,
2002.
In addition, we discovered an incorrect reference in the NPRM. On
page 63122, under the proposed regulatory text language for
Sec. 180.405 (o)(1), the reference ``Sec. 178.337-11(a)(2)'' should
read ``Sec. 178.337-8(a)(4).''
Accordingly, the HM-213 NPRM is corrected as follows:
Correction
PART 180--[CORRECTED]
Sec. 180.405 [Corrected]
In proposed rule FR Doc. 01-28117, beginning on page 63096 in the
issue of December 4, 2001, make the following correction to the
proposed regulatory text:
On page 63122, in the third line of column 3, in
Sec. 180.405(o)(1), correct Sec. 178.337-11(a)(2)'' to read
``Sec. 178.337-8(a)(4)''.
Issued in Washington, DC on January 29, 2002 under authority
delegated in 49 CFR part 106.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Research and
Special Programs Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-2515 Filed 1-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P