Opinion ID: 783159
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Three-Year Phase-in Period

Text: 88 When the agency published the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, it noted that section 13 of the TREAD Act requires that the Final Rule be issued by November 1, 2001, and take effect by November 1, 2003. Notice, 66 Fed. Reg. at 38997. The agency sought comment on whether vehicle manufacturers will be able to meet the statutory deadline, and whether TPMS manufacturers will be able to supply enough TPMSs to meet the demand under either of the alternatives proposed in this NPRM [i.e., the four-tire, 20 percent standard, and the three-tire, 25 percent standard]. Id. In the commentary that followed, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers — the intervenors in these proceedings — proposed a more gradual phase-in period, to allow for sufficient `prove-out' of developing TPMS technologies. Final Rule, 67 Fed. Reg. at 38737-38. No commenter opposed a phase-in of the TPMS requirements during the rulemaking proceedings. Id. at 38737. 89 When the agency issued the Final Rule, it accepted the Alliance's comment, and remain[ed] concerned that TPMS manufacturers will not be able to produce enough systems and parts to supply 16 million vehicles annually by November 1, 2003. Id. at 38738. These findings, which the petitioners have not disputed, plainly raise reasonable concerns. The agency's adoption of a three-year phase-in period was not arbitrary and capricious. 90