[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the direct final rule being withdrawn, is available for public 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 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0d2cfd3c5ced3d4c5c5cc8ec2cfc2e0c5d0c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0c2dfc3d5dec3c4d5d5dc9ed2dfd2f0d5c0d19ed7dfc6">[email protected]</span></a>.

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


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