Opinion ID: 413378
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The De Minimis Exemption Hearing

Text: 150 Under the statute, EPA may grant de minimis exemptions following notice and opportunity for a public hearing. Sec. 120(a)(2)(C). As noted in part III C of this opinion, the de minimis exemption, in contrast to other exemptions set out in section 120, is discretionary. In addition, this exemption is to be granted after opportunity for a public hearing, rather than a mandated hearing on the record. The regulations implementing this exemption provide only for an informal hearing. 40 C.F.R. Secs. 66.32(d), 66.33(d) (1981). Petitioners challenge these regulations, arguing that a formal adjudicatory hearing is required. 151 Congressional intent is clear, however, that the hearing is meant to be informal. The statute omits the key words triggering formal adjudication: the stipulation that the hearing be on the record. It does so despite requiring a hearing on the record in the case of the other, mandatory exemptions in section 120. The inclusion of the word public in section 120(a)(2)(C) merely indicates that Congress intended for the Administrator to have the benefit of comments as to whether EPA should exercise its discretion to forego the penalty. In addition, because the exemption is discretionary, a mandatory formal hearing would matter little because the Administrator could still refuse to grant the exemption. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the regulation.