[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 50086] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-24045] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6438-9] Draft Guidance for Improving Air Quality Through Economic Incentive Programs AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Today EPA announces the availability of draft guidance for States that wish to use an economic incentive program (EIP) to achieve air quality improvements. The draft guidance--``Draft Economic Incentive Program Guidance (EPA-452/D-99-001, July 1999)''--is a comprehensive update of EPA's 1994 EIP rule and guidance. (59 FR 16690), with regard to discretionary EIPs. It also incorporates some components of EPA's 1995 proposed model rule for open market trading (60 FR 39668), as well as the comments received on that proposed rule. With this guidance, EPA seeks to encourage cost effective and innovative approaches for achieving air quality requirements, and at the same time, maintain the enforceability and accountability of more traditional air quality management approaches. DATES: The EPA is establishing a 60-day comment period, ending on November 15, 1999. ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if possible) to: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6101), Attention: Docket No. A-99-27, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Room M-1500, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-7548, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying. Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following the instructions under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this document. No confidential business information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions and comments on this guidance, contact Ms. Nancy Mayer, U.S. EPA, MD-15, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone (919) 541-5390, e-mail ``[email protected]''; or Mr. Eric Crump, U.S. EPA, MD-15, Research Triangle Park NC 27711, telephone (919) 541-4719, e-mail ``[email protected]''. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIP guidance will have no direct regulatory consequences when finalized. The proposed draft outlines a variety of economic incentive programs, and provides advice to States on choosing the best type of program to meet their objectives. States can then develop or revise their implementation plans to incorporate an EIP that will meet national air quality objectives, and achieve an overall benefit to the environment. Electronic Availability--A World Wide Web (WWW) site has been developed so that you can obtain a copy of the draft EIP guidance for review and comment. The Uniform Resource Location (URL) for the home page of the web site is http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg. You can find the draft EIP guidance on this web site under the heading titled ``What's New.'' If you need additional assistance with these web sites, call the TTN Helpline at (919) 541-5384. If you lack access to the World Wide Web, you may request a copy of the draft EIP guidance from the individuals listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The EPA has established an official record for this draft guidance (which will include the draft guidance, plus any public comments and data submitted) under docket number A-99-27. A public version of this record, including printed, paper versions of electronic comments--but excluding any information claimed as CBI--is available for inspection from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The official record is located at the address in ADDRESSES at the beginning of this document. Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at: A-and-R-D[email protected]. Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect in 5.1 file format or ASCII file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the docket number A-99-27. Electronic comments on this proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries. Dated: September 3, 1999. John S. Seitz, Director, Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards. [FR Doc. 99-24045 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P