Document ID: EPA-HQ-OA-2018-0259-0620
Agency: epa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science
Posted Date: 2018-05-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 102 (Friday, May 25, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24255-24256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11316]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 30

[EPA-HQ-OA-2018-0259; FRL-9978-31-ORD]
RIN 2080-AA14

Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science; Extension of 
Comment Period and Notice of Public Hearing

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

[[Page 24256]]

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; notice of public 
hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On April 30, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
proposed a rule titled, ``Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory 
Science.'' The EPA is extending the comment period on the proposed 
rule, which was scheduled to close on May 30, 2018, until August 16, 
2018. The EPA is also announcing a public hearing to be held for the 
proposed rule. The hearing will be held on July 17, 2018 in Washington, 
DC. The EPA is making these changes in response to public requests for 
an extension of the comment period and for a public hearing.

DATES: The public comment period for the proposed rule published in the 
Federal Register on April 30, 2018 (83 FR 18768), is being extended. 
Written comments must be received on or before August 16, 2018. The 
public hearing will be held on July 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for the proposed rulemaking 
(available at http://www.regulations.gov). The Docket ID No. is EPA-HQ-
OA-2018-0259. Submit your comments, identified by the appropriate 
Docket ID, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 
EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not 
submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. If you need to include CBI as part of your 
comment, please visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html for 
instructions. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be 
accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the 
official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish 
to make.
    For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment 
policy, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit 
http://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.
    Public hearing: The public hearing will be held at the 
Environmental Protection Agency, William Jefferson Clinton East 
Building, Main Floor Room 1153, 1201 Constitution Avenue NW, in 
Washington, DC 20460. The public hearing will convene at 8:00 a.m. EST 
and continue until 8:00 p.m. EST or one hour after the last registered 
speaker has spoken, whichever is earlier. The EPA will make every 
effort to accommodate all speakers that arrive and register. Because 
this hearing is being held at a U.S. government facility, individuals 
planning to attend the hearing should be prepared to show valid picture 
identification to the security staff to gain access to the meeting 
room. No large signs will be allowed in the building, cameras may only 
be used outside of the building, and demonstrations will not be allowed 
on federal property for security reasons.
    If you would like to present oral testimony at the public hearing, 
please register online at https://www.epa.gov/osa/strengthening-transparency-regulatory-science or contact Tom Sinks, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of the Science Advisor, (MC 8105R), 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 564-0221, 
[email protected], no later than 2 business days prior to the public 
hearing. The last day to register will be July 15, 2018. If using 
email, please provide the following information: Time of day you wish 
to speak (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.-8:00 
p.m.), name, affiliation, address, email address, and telephone and fax 
numbers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the proposed 
rule, ``Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science'' should be 
addressed to Tom Sinks, Office of the Science Advisor, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460; 
(202) 564-0221; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document extends the public comment 
period for the proposed rule to ensure that the public has sufficient 
time to review and comment on the proposal. EPA is proposing this rule 
under authority of 5 U.S.C. 301, in addition to the authorities listed 
in the April 30th document.
    The public hearing provides the public with an opportunity to 
present oral comments regarding EPA's proposed regulation entitled 
``Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science.'' This proposed 
regulation is intended to strengthen the transparency of EPA regulatory 
science. The proposed regulation provides that, for the science pivotal 
to its significant regulatory actions, EPA will ensure that the data 
and models underlying the science is publicly available in a manner 
sufficient for validation and analysis. EPA is proposing this rule 
under authority of 5 U.S.C. 301, in addition to the authorities listed 
in the April 30th document.
    The public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity 
to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposal. EPA 
solicits comments on all aspects of the proposal and specifically on 
the issues identified in Section III of the April 30th document. The 
EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations, but 
will not respond to the presentations at that time. Written statements 
and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be 
considered with the same weight as any oral comments and supporting 
information presented at the public hearing.
    Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes for each commenter. The 
EPA encourages commenters to provide EPA with a copy of their oral 
testimony electronically via email or in hard copy form.
    The hearing schedules, including lists of speakers, will be posted 
on EPA's website https://www.epa.gov/osa/strengthening-transparency-regulatory-science. Verbatim transcripts of the hearings and written 
statements will be included in the docket for the rulemaking. EPA will 
make every effort to follow the schedule as closely as possible on the 
day of the hearing; however, please plan for the hearing to run either 
ahead of schedule or behind schedule.

    Dated: May 21, 2018.
Tom Sinks,
Director, Office of the Science Advisor.
[FR Doc. 2018-11316 Filed 5-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P