[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 208 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27583]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 63
[AD-FRL-6892-4]
RIN 2060-AH47
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant
Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: Because EPA received adverse comment, we are withdrawing the
direct final rule published on August 29, 2000 (65 FR 52319) to
indefinitely stay the compliance date for the process contact cooling
tower (PCCT) provisions for existing affected sources producing
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) using the continuous terephthalic
acid (TPA) high viscosity multiple end finisher process. We stated in
that direct final rule that if we received adverse comment by September
28, 2000, we would publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register.
We subsequently received adverse comment on that direct final rule. We
will address that comment in a subsequent final action based on the
parallel proposal also published on August 29, 2000 (65 FR 52392). As
stated in the parallel proposal, we will not institute a second comment
period on this action.
DATES: As of October 26, 2000, EPA withdraws the direct final rule
published at 65 FR 52319 on August 29, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Docket number A-92-45, containing information relevant to
the direct final rule being withdrawn, is available for public
inspection between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
(except for Federal holidays) at the following address: U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center (6102), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, or
by calling (202) 260-7548. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying
docket materials.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert E. Rosensteel, Organic
Chemicals Group, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC
27711, telephone number (919) 541-5608, electronic mail address
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 12, 1996, we promulgated
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant (NESHAP) for
Group IV Polymers and Resins as subpart JJJ in 40 CFR part 63. The
NESHAP established a new subcategory for PET manufacture specified as
the continuous TPA high viscosity multiple end finisher subcategory.
The NESHAP also established standards for PCCT, contained in 40 CFR
63.1329, for existing affected sources in the new subcategory.
A petition was submitted to us requesting reconsideration of the
technical basis for establishment of the continuous TPA high viscosity
multiple end finisher subcategory (Docket: A-92-45). The petition
presented new information related to the production processes for the
manufacture of PET that the petitioner claims calls into question the
need and justification for a separate subcategory for the continuous
TPA high viscosity multiple end finisher process. The information
presented in the petition led us to accept the petitioner's request to
reconsider the need for the continuous TPA high viscosity multiple end
finisher subcategory.
On August 29, 2000, the EPA published a direct final rule (65 FR
52319) and a parallel proposal (65 FR 52392) to indefinitely stay the
compliance date for the PCCT provisions for existing affected sources
producing PET using the continuous TPA high viscosity multiple end
finisher process. The stay was issued because EPA was in the process of
responding to a request to reconsider relevant portions of the NESHAP
for Group IV Polymers and Resins that might result in changes to the
emission limitation which applies to PCCT in this subcategory. It was
unlikely that the reconsideration process would be complete before
actions were necessary to comply with the current PCCT standard.
Therefore, we issued an indefinite stay of the compliance date.
The EPA stated in the direct final rule that if adverse comments
were received by September 28, 2000, the EPA would publish a notice to
withdraw the direct final rule before its effective date of October 30,
2000. The EPA received an adverse comment and, therefore, is
withdrawing the direct final rule.
The EPA will address this comment in the subsequent final action on
the parallel proposal.
Dated: October 19, 2000.
Robert D. Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 00-27583 Filed 10-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P