[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 2 (Thursday, January 3, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 278-279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-109]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 3, 51, 60, 63, 70, 123, 142, 145, 162, 233, 257, 258,
271, 281, 403, 501, 745 and 763
[FRL-7125-3]
RIN 2025-AA07
Extension of Comment Period for and Public Meetings on the
Proposed Establishment of Electronic Reporting; Electronic Records Rule
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; announcement of
public meetings.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending by an
additional 30 days the comment period on its proposed rule for
establishment of electronic reporting and electronic records. On August
31, 2001 (66 FR 46162), EPA proposed conditions under which EPA would
allow submission of electronic documents and maintenance of electronic
records to satisfy federal environmental reporting and recordkeeping
requirements in EPA's regulations. The comment period is being extended
by 30 days to provide the public with additional time to evaluate and
comment upon the complex provisions of this proposed rule. As extended
by this action, the comment period will now close on February 27, 2002.
This document also announces the dates and locations for two
additional public meetings on the proposed rule's recordkeeping
provisions, which will be held before the public comment period closes.
DATES: The meetings will be held on: (1) Thursday, January 17, 2002,
10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST); and (2) Thursday, January 31, 2002,
10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (CST).
In order to be considered, written comments on the proposed
electronic reporting and electronic records rule must be submitted on
or before February 27, 2002. Comments provided electronically will be
considered timely if they are submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m.
(Eastern time) February 27, 2002.
ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at: (1) The Wyndham Washington,
1400 M Street, NW, Washington, DC; and (2) the Holiday Inn Select, 4440
West Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas.
Comments should be addressed to the United States Environmental
Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information
Center, (Mail Code 2201A), Attn: Docket Number EC-2000-007, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. Commenters are also
requested to submit an original and 3 copies of their written comments
as well as an original and 3 copies of any attachments, enclosures, or
other documents referenced in the comments. Commenters who would like
EPA to acknowledge receipt of their comments should include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope. All comments must be postmarked or
delivered by hand by February 27, 2002. No facsimiles (faxes) will be
accepted. Public comments and supporting materials are available for
viewing in the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information
Center, located at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, (Ariel Rios Building),
2nd Floor, Room 2213, Washington, DC 20460. The documents are available
for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
federal holidays. To review docket materials, it is recommended that
the public make an appointment by calling (202) 564-2614 or (202) 564-
2119. The public may copy a maximum of 266 pages from any regulatory
document at no cost. Additional copies cost $0.15 per page. The rule
and some supporting materials
[[Page 279]]
are also available electronically on the Internet for public review,
using a www browser type, at http://www.epa.gov/.
EPA will also accept comments electronically. Comments should be
addressed to the following Internet address: [email protected].
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII, WordPerfect 5.1/6.1/
8 format file and avoid the use of special characters or any form of
encryption. Comments in electronic format should also be identified by
the docket number EC-2000-007. Electronic comments will be transferred
into a paper version for the official record. EPA will attempt to
clarify electronic comments if there is an apparent error in
transmission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Schwarz (2823), Office of
Environmental Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-2710,
[email protected], or Evi Huffer (2823), Office of Environmental
Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-8791, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On August 31, 2001 (66 FR 46162), EPA proposed a rule that would
set forth the conditions under which EPA would prospectively allow
submission of electronic documents and maintenance of electronic
records to satisfy federal environmental reporting and recordkeeping
requirements in EPA's regulations. As noted in the proposal (66 FR
46163), the rule would affect a broad spectrum of EPA programs (not
merely those where specific amendments to the Code of Federal
Regulations would be made). While the rule is voluntary because it does
not require electronic reporting or recordkeeping, for most programs
regulated entities that currently maintain electronic records and who
wish to continue to do so after the rule takes effect would be required
to meet the recordkeeping criteria in subpart D. As currently defined
in the proposal, the term electronic record is broad in scope. Given
the breadth and complexity of the rule, several commenters have
requested additional time to evaluate and comment upon the proposed
rule. EPA greatly values the input provided by the regulated community
as well as the input from States that administer EPA programs.
Accordingly, the comment period was extended by 60 days, to January 28,
2002, in a notice published in the Federal Register on Wednesday,
November 28, 2001 (66 FR 59392-59393), to provide additional time to
evaluate and comment upon the proposed rule.
To help foster this comment and evaluation, EPA has scheduled two
additional public meetings on the proposed rule's recordkeeping
provisions, on January 17, 2002, and on January 31, 2002. The meetings
will focus on electronic recordkeeping issues raised by the proposed
rule, and will be structured to take comments on at least the following
questions: What kinds of records do companies currently keep
electronically to satisfy EPA regulatory requirements? How prevalent is
this electronic recordkeeping, and what kinds of systems are used? How
are automatically captured data and other raw data maintained
electronically? How will the proposed rule affect companies' electronic
recordkeeping practices, and do some of the proposed provisions raise
more issues than others? How do companies currently ensure the
integrity and reliability of their electronic records, especially where
they do not use audit trails, and what role do recognized industry
standards play? What special issues are raised by proposed criteria for
long-term archiving, and how do companies currently address this
problem? Where archiving involves the conversion of electronic records
to paper, how do companies assure data integrity and reliability, and
what role do recognized industry standards play? Are there new products
or technologies that will help companies address the proposed standards
for electronic recordkeeping?
Also, to allow participants and other interested stakeholders to
develop comments based on discussions at these public meetings, EPA is
extending the comment period an additional 30 days. During this
extended comment period, EPA particularly seeks comment on whether or
not the recordkeeping provisions in subpart D of the proposed rule
should be withdrawn and addressed in a separate rulemaking. EPA also
seeks comment on revisions to the recordkeeping criteria or other
provisions of the proposed rule that would make it easier for those in
the regulated community who already maintain electronic records to
continue to do so after the rule takes effect.
Dated: December 21, 2001.
Kim Nelson,
Assistant Administrator and Chief Information Officer, Office of
Environmental Information.
[FR Doc. 02-109 Filed 1-2-02; 8:45 am]
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