Opinion ID: 490091
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Good Cause Exception

Text: 19 Assuming, arguendo, that at least some of the regulations could plausibly be classified as legislative, the Agency properly invoked the good cause exception to the notice and comment requirement. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(b)(B) (1982), the Agency published, along with the Final Rule, a statement setting forth its reasons for finding that following notice and comment procedures would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. It provided three principal reasons: (1) Congress explicitly authorized the use of the good cause exception in the promulgation of these regulations; (2) there was need for immediate action; and (3) the nature of the regulations was such that the Agency would not be likely to reap any benefits from allowing public comment. 50 Fed.Reg. at 28,703-04. We agree that, given the nature of these regulations, and the applicable legislative history expressed in the Conference Committee Report, 3 the Agency acted properly in dispensing with the notice and comment requirement, even if the rule was legislative. Although we construe the good cause exception narrowly, see New Jersey v. EPA, 626 F.2d 1038, 1045 (D.C.Cir.1980), we are persuaded that the Agency's decision not to use notice and comment procedures was consistent with congressional intent and reasonable under the circumstances. 20