[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10491-10498]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05404]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0131; FRL-9991-06]

Initiation of Prioritization Under the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and
related implementing regulations, EPA is initiating the prioritization
process for 20 chemical substances as candidates for designation as
High Priority Substances for risk evaluation and 20 chemical substances
as candidates for designation as Low Priority Substances for risk
evaluation. This document provides the identity of the chemical
substances being initiated for prioritization, a general explanation of
why the Agency chose these chemical substances and information on the
data sources that EPA plans to use to support the designation. EPA is
providing a 90-day comment period during which interested persons may
submit relevant information on these chemical substances.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 19, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following methods to submit comments,
directing not related to a specific chemical, including comments on
Unit V., to docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0131;
submit information on the 20 candidates for which EPA is initiating the
prioritization process before designation as High Priority Substances
for risk evaluation to the applicable chemical specific docket ID
number identified in Unit III.B.; and submit information on the 20
candidates for which EPA is initiating the prioritization process
before designation as Low Priority Substances for risk evaluation to
the applicable chemical specific docket ID number identified in Unit
IV.B.:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted
by statute.
     Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information about the
candidates for high priority contact: Ana Corado, Chemical Control
Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency
(Mailcode 7408M), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001;
telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    For technical information about the candidates for low priority
contact: Lauren Sweet, Chemistry, Economics and Sustainable Strategies
Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency
(Mailcode 7406M) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001;
telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill,
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202)
554-1404; email address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general and may be of
interest to entities that currently or may manufacture (including
import) a chemical substance regulated under TSCA (e.g., entities
identified under North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes 325 and 324110). The action may also be of interest to
chemical processors, distributors in commerce, users, non-profit
organizations in the environmental and public health sectors, state and
local government agencies, and members of the public. Since other
entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to
describe all the specific entities and corresponding NAICS codes for
entities that may be interested in or affected by this action.

B. What action is the Agency taking?

    EPA is initiating the prioritization process under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2601 et

seq., for 20 chemical substances as candidates for designation as High
Priority Substances for risk evaluation and 20 chemical substances as
candidates for designation as Low Priority Substances for risk
evaluation. This document includes the identity of the chemical
substances entering the prioritization process before designation, and
a general explanation of why the Agency chose to initiate
prioritization on these chemical substances. In addition, EPA is
providing a 90-day comment period during which interested persons may
submit relevant information on these chemical substances. Relevant
information might include, but is not limited to, any information that
may inform the prioritization screening review conducted pursuant to 40
CFR 702.9(a).

C. Why is the Agency taking this action?

    TSCA section 6(b) requires that EPA initiate the prioritization
process for chemical substances that may be designated as high priority
and low priority for risk evaluation. Per TSCA section 6(b)(2)(B), EPA
must designate at least 20 low priority substances and be conducting
risk evaluations on at least 20 high priority substances no later than
three and one-half years after the date of enactment of the Frank R.
Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 114-182).
The request for interested persons to submit relevant information on a
chemical substance for which EPA has initiated the prioritization
process is required by TSCA section 6(b)(1)(C)(i).

D. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?

    This document is issued pursuant to the authority in TSCA section
6(b)(1).

E. What are the estimated incremental impacts of this action?

    This document identifies the 40 chemical substances for which EPA
is initiating the prioritization process, provides a general
explanation of why the Agency chose to initiate prioritization on these
chemical substances, and provides a 90-day comment period for
interested persons to submit relevant information. This document does
not establish any requirements on persons or entities outside of the
Agency. No incremental impacts are therefore anticipated, and
consequently EPA did not estimate potential incremental impacts for
this action.

F. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting Confidential Business Information (CBI). Do not
submit this information to EPA through regulations.gov or email.
Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be
CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark
the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then identify
electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the specific information that
is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment
that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that
does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for
inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be
disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part
2.
    2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting
your comments, see the commenting tips at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.

II. Background

    TSCA section 6(b)(1), as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg
Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 114-182), requires
EPA to prioritize chemical substances for risk evaluation and to
establish a process for prioritizing chemical substances. As required
by TSCA section 6(b) and described in 40 CFR 702.7, EPA is initiating
the prioritization process for 20 chemical substances as candidates for
High Priority Substances for risk evaluation and 20 chemical substances
as candidates for designation as Low Priority Substances.
    Under the amended statute (section 6(b)(1)(B)) and implementing
regulations (40 CFR 702.3), a High Priority Substance is defined as a
chemical substance that EPA determines, without consideration of costs
or other non-risk factors, may present an unreasonable risk of injury
to health or the environment because of a potential hazard and a
potential route of exposure under the conditions of use, including an
unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations
identified as relevant by EPA. A Low Priority Substance is described as
a chemical that EPA concludes, based on information sufficient to
establish, without consideration of costs or other non-risk factors,
does not meet the statutory criteria for designation as a High Priority
Substance.
    Initiation of prioritization for substances as High Priority
candidates is not a finding of risk. Rather, when prioritization is
complete, for those chemicals designated as high, the Agency will have
evidence that this substance may present an unreasonable risk of injury
to health or the environment because of a potential hazard and a
potential route of exposure under the conditions of use. Final
designation of a high priority substance initiates the risk evaluation
process (40 CFR 702.17), which culminates in a finding of whether or
not the chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk under the
conditions of use. A final designation of a Low Priority substance does
not require a finding of low or no risk; rather, it is sufficient to
show that the chemical does not meet the statutory criteria for a High
Priority substance and that risk evaluation is not warranted at this
time (40 CFR 702.15).
    This document is intended to fulfill the TSCA section 6(b)(1)(C)(i)
requirement that the Administrator request interested persons to submit
relevant information on chemical substances that the Administrator has
identified as candidates for designation as High Priority and Low
Priority Substances for risk evaluation. As described in 40 CFR 702.7,
this document also initiates the prioritization process, and provides
90 days during which interested persons may submit relevant
information.
    As described in 40 CFR 702.9(b) Information sources, in conducting
the screening review during the prioritization process, EPA will
consider sources of information relevant to the screening review
criteria as outlined in the statute (TSCA section 6(b)(1)(A)) and
implementing regulations (40 CFR 702.9(a)) and consistent with the
scientific standards of TSCA section 26(h), including, as appropriate,
sources for hazard and exposure data listed in Appendices A and B of
the TSCA Work Plan Chemicals: Methods Document (February 2012).
    Consistent with the approach in our A Working Approach for
Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization (September
27, 2018) and prioritization process (40 CFR 702.7), EPA consulted with
other federal agencies and intends to continue to collaborate with them
to identify information that is useful throughout the prioritization
process.

III. High Priority Candidate Chemical Substances for Which EPA Is
Initiating Prioritization

A. Candidates for Which EPA Is Initiating Prioritization for
Designation as High Priority Substances for Risk Evaluation

    EPA's working approach to selecting candidates for designation as
High Priority Substances for risk evaluation is outlined in the
document, A Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate
Chemicals for Prioritization, released to the public on September 27,
2018 (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-09/documents/preprioritization_white_paper_9272018.pdf). To identify candidates for
designation as High Priority Substances the Agency primarily looked to
the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments: 2014 Update (2014 TSCA
Work Plan). EPA surveyed the information and checked quality data
elements in a step-wise approach that ensured responsible and timely
completion of the process according to TSCA timelines. Additionally,
EPA opened dockets for each of the 2014 TSCA Work Plan chemicals, and
an additional docket for non-2014 TSCA Work Plan chemicals, to allow
for public comment on the prioritization of these chemicals.
    The sources of information, as described in the document A Working
Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for
Prioritization, included:
    1. Type 1 sources: Existing databases (and dashboards) that allow
the user to sift through information using a graphical user-interface,
a direct query such as Structured Query Language (SQL), or webservice
Application Programming Interface (APIs). EPA's National Center for
Computational Toxicology's Chemistry Dashboard (Chemistry Dashboard)
(https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard) is one of the several examples of a
Type 1 source.
    2. Type 2 sources: Additional details from existing information
from public and non-public (i.e., confidential business information)
sources that are maintained by competent authorities--this includes
supporting information from other EPA program offices, state and
federal agencies including assessments or evaluations from various U.S.
and international organizations (e.g., including but not limited to
EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessments, EPA's
Office of Water, EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, EPA's High
Production Volume Challenge Program, International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR), and California Environmental Protection
Agency (Cal EPA)).
    3. Type 3 sources: Initial searches of additional sources of
information within the public and gray literature domains that are not
available from Type 1 and 2 sources (e.g., searches in PubMed, ToxNet,
other U.S. government and international websites).
    After identifying evidence of information from reasonably available
sources, the information was evaluated across several data elements
including hazard, exposure, uses, and physicochemical, fate and
transport properties.
    After reviewing the three types of data, as explained previously,
the chemical substances were reviewed for data availability across all
data elements (e.g., hazard, exposure, uses, and physicochemical, fate
and transport properties). Considerations were given for chemical
similarity, similar identified functions (e.g., solvents, phthalates,
flame retardants), existing OPPT work (e.g., experience gained from the
first ten chemicals to undergo risk evaluation) and other information
as identified in available risk assessments (e.g., IRIS, ECHA), and
public literature.
    In the absence of measured data on chemicals being evaluated, EPA
may use alternative means or new approach methods (NAMs) to obtain
relevant data. These NAMs can reduce vertebrate testing, consistent
with TSCA section 4(h)(1)(A). EPA intends to use this approach to the
extent practicable and scientifically justified.
    To identify chemical substances, EPA considered information such as
the 2016 CDR reported uses and products as a surrogate for complexity
of information to inform prioritization and risk evaluation. EPA
considered the release and use information for these chemicals and
screened them according to the types of industrial uses and types of
products where the chemicals were used, as reported in the 2016 CDR.
EPA considers a chemical with fewer unique uses as a lower work load
and a chemical with multiple uses reported as a higher work load.
    EPA intends to update and refine its initial review based on data
sources identified by the public during the comment period (see EPA's
request for data in Unit V.) and, where permitted by TSCA section 14
and subject to EPA confidentiality regulations at 40 CFR part 2,
subpart B, intends to make this information publicly available for the
20 initiated chemicals when we publish the proposed priority
designation.

B. Chemicals Initiated

    EPA is initiating the prioritization process for the following
twenty chemicals as candidates for designation as High Priority
Substance candidates.
    1. 1,3-Butadiene, CAS RN 106-99-0, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0451. This chemical was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a
hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 3; and a persistence and
bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the use of this chemical was
reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives information annually on this
chemical through the Toxics Release Inventory. Information is available
from assessments by another federal agency and by other countries.
    2. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1-
butyl 2-(phenylmethyl) ester), CAS RN 85-68-7, Docket number: EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2018-0501. This phthalate ester was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 3; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information annually on this chemical through the Toxics Release
Inventory. Information is available from assessments by other
countries.
    3. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-
dibutyl ester), CAS RN 84-74-2, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0503.
This phthalate ester was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a
hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 3; and a persistence and
bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the use of this chemical was
reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives information annually on this
chemical through the Toxics Release Inventory. Information is available
from assessments by another federal agency and by other countries.
    4. 1,1-Dichloroethane, CAS RN 75-34-3, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2018-0426. This chlorinated solvent was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 2; an exposure score of 3; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information on this chemical through the Toxics Release Inventory.
Information is available from assessments by another federal agency.

    5. 1,2-Dichloroethane, CAS RN 107-06-2, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2018-0427. This chlorinated solvent was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 3; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information annually on this chemical through the Toxics Release
Inventory. Information is available from assessments conducted by
another federal agency and another country.
    6. 1,2-Dichloropropane, CAS RN 78-87-5, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2018-0428. This chlorinated solvent was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 2; an exposure score of 3; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information annually on this chemical through the Toxics Release
Inventory. This chemical is also subject to other EPA regulations. In
addition, information is available from assessments by another federal
agency.
    7. Dicyclohexyl phthalate (1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-
dicyclohexyl ester), CAS RN 84-61-7, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0504. This phthalate ester was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals
with a hazard score of 3 (based solely on environmental toxicity); an
exposure score of 3; and a persistence and bioaccumulation score of 1.
Data regarding the use of this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016.
Information is available from assessment by another country.
    8. Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid,
1,2-bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester), CAS RN 117-81-7, Docket number: EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2018-0433. This phthalate ester was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 3; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information annually on this chemical through the Toxics Release
Inventory. Information is available from assessments by another federal
agency and by other countries.
    9. Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-
bis(2-methylpropyl) ester), CAS RN 84-69-5, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2018-0434. This phthalate ester was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 1; an exposure score of 2; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. Information is available
from assessments by other countries.
    10. Ethylene dibromide (Ethane, 1,2-dibromo-), CAS RN 106-93-4,
Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0488. This chemical was listed in the
2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an exposure score of
2; and a persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the
use of this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information annually on this chemical through the Toxics Release
Inventory. EPA released a screening-level hazard characterization in
2009. In addition, information is available from assessments by another
federal agency.
    11. Formaldehyde, CAS RN 50-00-0, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0438. This chemical was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a
hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 3; and a persistence and
bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the use of this chemical was
reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives information on this chemical
annually through the Toxics Release Inventory. EPA published the
Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule
in 2016. Information is available from assessments by another federal
agency and other countries.
    12. 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-
benzopyran (HHCB), CAS RN 1222-05-5, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0430. This chemical was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a
hazard score of 2; an exposure score of 3; and a persistence and
bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of this chemical was
reported to EPA in 2016. This chemical is also subject to other EPA
regulations. EPA completed a risk assessment of the ecological risks
from HHCB as fragrance ingredient in commercial and consumer products
in 2014. EPA released a screening-level hazard characterization in
2008. In addition, information is available from assessment by another
country.
    13. 4,4'-(1-Methylethylidene)bis[2, 6-dibromophenol] (TBBPA), CAS
RN 79-94-7, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0462. This halogenated
flame retardant was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a
hazard score of 2 (based solely on environmental toxicity); an exposure
score of 3; and a persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data
regarding the use of this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA
also receives information annually on this chemical through the Toxics
Release Inventory. EPA released a problem formulation for TBBPA in
2015. Information is available from assessment by another country.
    14. o-Dichlorobenzene (Benzene, 1,2-dichloro-), CAS RN 95-50-1,
Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0444. This chlorinated solvent was
listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a hazard score of 2; an
exposure score of 3; and a persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2.
Data regarding the use of this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016.
EPA also receives information on this chemical through the Toxics
Release Inventory. EPA completed a screening-level hazard
characterization of this chemical in 2009. Information is available
from assessments by another federal agency and other countries.
    15. p-Dichlorobenzene (Benzene, 1,4-dichloro-), CAS RN 106-46-7,
Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0446. This chlorinated solvent was
listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an
exposure score of 3; and a persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2.
Data regarding the use of this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016.
EPA also receives information annually on this chemical through the
Toxics Release Inventory. EPA identified information available from
assessments by another federal agency and other countries.
    16. Phosphoric acid, triphenyl ester (TPP), CAS RN 115-86-6, Docket
number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0458. This halogenated flame retardant was
listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a hazard score of 3 (based
solely on environmental toxicity); an exposure score of 3; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016.
    17. Phthalic anhydride (1,3-Isobenzofurandione), CAS RN 85-44-9,
Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0459. This chemical was listed in the
2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an exposure score of
3; and a persistence and bioaccumulation score of 1. Data regarding the
use of this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also received
receives information on this chemical annually through the Toxics
Release Inventory.
    18. trans-1,2- Dichloroethylene (Ethene, 1,2-dichloro-, (1E)-), CAS
RN 156-60-5, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0465. This chlorinated
solvent was listed in the 2014 Work Plan Chemicals with a hazard score
of 2; an exposure score of 3; and a persistence and bioaccumulation
score of 2. Data regarding the use of this chemical was reported to EPA
in 2016.

EPA completed a screening-level hazard characterization of this
chemical in 2015.
    19. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, CAS RN 79-00-5, Docket number: EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2018-0421. This chlorinated solvent was listed in the 2014 Work
Plan Chemicals with a hazard score of 3; an exposure score of 2; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA also receives
information annually on this chemical through the Toxics Release
Inventory. Information is available from assessments by another federal
agency.
    20. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) (Ethanol, 2-chloro-,
1,1',1''-phosphate), CAS RN 115-96-8, Docket number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0476. This halogenated flame retardant was listed in the 2014 Work Plan
Chemicals with a hazard score of 2; an exposure score of 2; and a
persistence and bioaccumulation score of 2. Data regarding the use of
this chemical was reported to EPA in 2016. EPA released a problem
formulation for TCEP in 2015. Information is available from assessment
by another country.

IV. Low Priority Candidate Chemical Substances for Which EPA Is
Initiating Prioritization

A. Candidates for Which EPA Is Initiating Prioritization for
Designation as Low Priority Substances for Risk Evaluation

    1. EPA's working approach to selecting candidates for designation
as Low Priority Substances for risk evaluation is outlined in the
document, A Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate
Chemicals for Prioritization, released to the public on September 27,
2018 (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-09/documents/preprioritization_white_paper_9272018.pdf ).As elaborated in this unit,
EPA has taken steps to implement the approach outlined in the working
approach document.
    Starting with over 30,000 chemicals from the April 2018 interim
update of the TSCA active inventory, EPA applied a series of filtering
steps to identify potential Low Priority Substance candidates. EPA's
goal was to select chemicals that are among the best-suited for
possible Low Priority Substance designation. EPA identified potential
Low Priority Substance candidates based on low-hazard, across a range
of endpoints, as the initial criterion since EPA knew the data on
hazard would be the most readily available.
    EPA first narrowed the candidate pool to chemicals that had been
evaluated by a government body like the U.S. EPA or an OECD member
nation. EPA's Safer Chemicals Ingredients List (SCIL) and Chemical
Assessment Management Program (ChAMP), as well as the OECD Screening
Information Data Sets, served as sources of government-evaluated
chemicals. The SCIL (https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-ingredients)
is a continuously updated list of chemicals that meet low-concern Safer
Choice criteria (https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/standard) for both
human health and ecological endpoints. Based on assessments used to
support their listing on the SCIL, EPA has found these chemicals to be
relatively rich in data on hazard. Under ChAMP, EPA scientists
performed interim evaluations of hazard, use, and exposure of high- and
medium-production volume chemicals. These screening-level risk
characterizations were interim evaluations that constituted neither a
final Agency determination on risk nor a determination as to whether
sufficient data were available to characterize risk. Screening
Information Dataset (SIDS) Initial Assessment Reports (SIARs) (https://hpvchemicals.oecd.org/ui/Default.aspx), prepared by OECD member
nations, represent a systematic investigation of the potential risks to
human health and the environment, and are most often associated with
high-production-volume (HPV) chemicals. SIARs include a base set of
hazard information, known as the SIDS elements, for each chemical
substance and incorporate available information on use patterns and
exposure to put hazard(s) into context (http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-assessment/1947541.pdf). Through public meetings
and comments, EPA stakeholders indicated support for use of SCIL, ChAMP
evaluations on chemicals of low concern, and relevant SIDS assessments
as a starting point for identifying Low Priority Substance candidates.
    2. As a next filtering step and to increase confidence in the
information on hazard, conditions of use and exposure, EPA filtered the
pool of approximately 1,600 chemicals to approximately 200 substances
having discretely defined structures. Data on chemicals with discrete
structures, as opposed to those with variable structures, are more
reliable and easily compared because of the certainty a definitive
molecular structure provides in assessing hazard, conditions of use,
and exposure. EPA further filtered the chemicals with discrete
structures and selected those with the most available data, narrowing
the pool to about 75 chemicals with low-hazard status among an
internationally accepted set of endpoints. EPA applied a final screen
by conducting a literature search to update and verify candidate
information for reliability, completeness and consistency. With a set
of high-quality data relevant to a potential designation as a Low
Priority Substance, EPA reduced the candidate pool to the 20 chemical
substances being initiated today. EPA will make transparent literature
search documentation available at the proposal phase for the 20 Low
Priority Substance candidates. EPA intends to update and refine its
initial review based on data sources identified by the public during
the comment period (see EPA's request for data in Unit V.) and, where
permitted by TSCA section 14 and subject to EPA confidentiality
regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B, intends to make this
information publicly available for the 20 initiated chemicals at
proposal. This unit contains information on the data sources EPA is
using to obtain reasonably available information for evaluating
candidate Low Priority Substances consistent with TSCA section
6(b)(1)(B) and implementing regulations. EPA encourages submission of
additional information relevant to Low Priority Substance designation
that stakeholders believe may not be found in the sources listed.
    a. Data sources. EPA intends to search for and review literature
from primary literature databases and gray literature and additional
search strategies.
    b. NAMs and Analogous chemical data. In the absence of measured
data on chemicals being evaluated, EPA may use alternative means or new
approach methods (NAMs) to obtain relevant data. These NAMs can reduce
vertebrate testing, consistent with TSCA section 4(h)(1)(A). EPA
intends to use this approach to the extent practicable and
scientifically justified.
    EPA will consider closely related, analogous chemicals, or analogs,
and use data from these chemicals to demonstrate the suitability of a
chemical for proposal as a Low Priority Substance where appropriate.
The use of appropriate analogs in chemical assessment is a
scientifically valid, widely adopted practice. Governments worldwide
use analogs to fill data gaps in both regulatory and prioritization
contexts. Examples can be found in the OECD screening information
dataset (SIDS), the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and
Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the Canadian

Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), and the Australian National Industrial
Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).
    Suitable analogs will be chosen based on chemical biological
similarities (e.g., chemical structure, metabolic breakdown or likely
mechanistic/mode of action considerations). Information on the value of
analogs and guidance for identifying suitable analogs can be found in
OECD Series on Testing and Assessment No. 194 Guidance on Grouping of
Chemicals, Second Edition (2014). EPA will use expert judgment to
determine if the analog or model used is appropriate for the attribute
being evaluated. EPA will consider each case separately, make the
analog we have selected and the data we are using from it transparent,
and accept public comment on alternative approaches.
    EPA will also consider modeled data from sources such as ECOSAR,
Oncologic, EPI Suite, and other models when determined to be within the
domain of applicability or supported by analog data.

B. Chemicals Initiated

    EPA is initiating the prioritization process for the following
twenty chemicals as candidates for designation as Low Priority
Substance candidates.
    1. 1-Butanol, 3-methoxy-, 1-acetate (CAS RN 4435-53-4), Docket ID
number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0106. EPA has selected 1-butanol, 3- methoxy-,
1-acetate for initiation as a candidate for potential designation as a
low priority substance because it has a comprehensive data set
demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally accepted set of
low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints, and in view of
its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard
profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to alter the
assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance.
    2. D-gluco-Heptonic acid, sodium salt (1:1), (2.xi.)- (CAS RN
31138-65-5), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0107. EPA has selected
d-gluco-heptonic acid, sodium salt (1:1), (2.xi.)- for initiation as a
candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance because
it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
    3. D-Gluconic acid (CAS RN 526-95-4), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2019-0108. EPA has selected d-gluconic acid for initiation as a
candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance because
it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
While EPA will present an independent review if this chemical is
proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has
been evaluated and determined to be ``low priority for further work''
for human health and the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial
Assessment Report (April 2004).
    4. D-Gluconic acid, calcium salt (2:1) (CAS RN 299-28-5), Docket ID
number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0109. EPA has selected d-gluconic acid,
calcium salt (2:1) for initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance because it has a comprehensive
data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally
accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints,
and in view of its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given
the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to
alter the assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for
potential designation as a low priority substance. While EPA will
present an independent review if this chemical is proposed as a Low
Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has been evaluated and
determined to be ``low priority for further work'' for human health and
the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April
2004).
    5. D-Gluconic acid, .delta.-lactone (CAS RN 90-80-2), Docket ID
number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0110. EPA has selected d-gluconic acid,
.delta.-lactone for initiation as a candidate for potential designation
as a low-priority substance because it has a comprehensive data set
demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally accepted set of
low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints, and in view of
its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard
profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to alter the
assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance. While EPA will present an
independent review if this chemical is proposed as a Low Priority
Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has been evaluated and
determined to be ``low priority for further work'' for human health and
the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April
2004).
    6. D-Gluconic acid, potassium salt (1:1) (CAS RN 299-27-4), Docket
ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0111. EPA has selected d-gluconic acid,
potassium salt (1:1) for initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance because it has a comprehensive
data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally
accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints,
and in view of its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given
the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to
alter the assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for
potential designation as a low priority substance. While EPA will
present an independent review if this chemical is proposed as a Low
Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has been evaluated and
determined to be ``low priority for further work'' for human health and
the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April
2004).
    7. D-Gluconic acid, sodium salt (1:1) (CAS RN 527-07-1), Docket ID
number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0112. EPA has selected d-gluconic acid, sodium
salt (1:1) for initiation as a candidate for potential designation as a
low priority substance because it has a comprehensive data set
demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally accepted set of
low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints, and in view of
its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard
profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to alter the
assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance. While EPA will present an
independent review if this chemical is proposed as a Low Priority
Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has been evaluated and
determined to be ``low priority for further work'' for human health and
the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April
2004).
    8. Decanedioic acid, 1,10-dibutyl ester (CAS RN 109-43-3), Docket
ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0113. EPA has selected decanedioic acid,
1,10-dibutyl ester for initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance because it has a comprehensive
data set demonstrating

lower hazard, based on an internationally accepted set of concern
thresholds for a broad range of endpoints, and in view of its known,
intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile,
EPA does not expect estimated exposures to alter the assessment
supporting its initiation as a candidate for potential designation as a
low priority substance.
    9. 1-Docosanol (CAS RN 661-19-8), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2019-0114. EPA has selected 1-docosanol for initiation as a candidate
for potential designation as a low-priority substance because it has a
comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
While EPA will present an independent review if this chemical is
proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has
been evaluated and determined to be ``low priority for further work''
for human health and the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial
Assessment Report (April 2006). 1-docosanol was also evaluated by EPA's
ChAMP program.
    10. 1-Eicosanol (CAS RN 629-96-9), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2019-0115. EPA has selected 1-eicosanol for initiation as a candidate
for potential designation as a low priority substance because it has a
comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
While EPA will present an independent review if this chemical is
proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has
been evaluated and determined to be ``low priority for further work''
for human health and the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial
Assessment Report (April 2006). 1-eicosanol was also evaluated by EPA's
ChAMP program.
    11. 1,2-Hexanediol (CAS RN 6920-22-5), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2019-0116. EPA has selected 1,2-hexanediol for initiation as a
candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance because
it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
    12. 1-Octadecanol (CAS RN 112-92-5), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2019-0117. EPA has selected 1-octadecanol for initiation as a candidate
for potential designation as a low priority substance because it has a
comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
While an OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (August 2002) indicated a
need to examine anaerobic biodegradability and potential long-term fish
toxicity, the follow-on SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April 2006)
concludes, based on new information, that fatty acids with chain
lengths greater than 16, like 1-octadecanol, have low solubility (and
hence low bioavailability), limiting potential chronic toxicity as well
as limiting the need for further research.
    13. Propanol, [2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]- (CAS RN
55934-93-5), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0118. EPA has selected
propanol, [2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]- for initiation as a
candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance because
it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
    14. Propanedioic acid, 1,3-diethyl ester (CAS RN 105-53-3), Docket
ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0119. EPA has selected propanedioic acid,
1,3-diethyl ester for initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance because it has a comprehensive
data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally
accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints,
and in view of its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given
the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to
alter the assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for
potential designation as a low priority substance. While EPA will
present an independent review if this chemical is proposed as a Low
Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has been evaluated and
determined to be ``low priority for further work'' for human health and
the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April
2005).
    15. Propanedioic acid, 1,3-dimethyl ester (CAS RN 108-59-8), Docket
ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0120. EPA has selected propanedioic acid,
1,3-dimethyl ester for initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance because it has a comprehensive
data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally
accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints,
and in view of its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given
the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to
alter the assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for
potential designation as a low priority substance. While EPA will
present an independent review if this chemical is proposed as a Low
Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has been evaluated and
determined to be ``low priority for further work'' for human health and
the environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (April
2005).
    16. Propanol, 1(or 2)-(2-methoxymethylethoxy)-, acetate (CAS RN
88917-22-0), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0121. EPA has selected
propanol, 1(or 2)-(2-methoxymethylethoxy)-, acetate for initiation as a
candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance because
it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints, and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
While EPA will present an independent review if this chemical is
proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has
been evaluated and determined to be ``low priority for further work''
for human health and the

environment in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (November 2003).
    17. Propanol, [(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis(oxy)]bis- (CAS RN
24800-44-0), Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0122. EPA has selected
propanol, [(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis(oxy)]bis- for initiation as a
candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance because
it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an
internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad
range of endpoints and in view of its known, intended and reasonably
foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect
estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its initiation
as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance.
While EPA will present an independent review if this chemical is
proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that this chemical has
been evaluated and determined to be ``low potential risk and low
priority for further work'' in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report
(July 1994).
    18. 2-Propanol, 1,1'-oxybis- (CAS RN 110-98-5), Docket ID number:
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0123. EPA has selected 2-propanol, 1,1'-oxybis- for
initiation as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority
substance because it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower
hazard, based on an internationally accepted set of low-concern
thresholds for a broad range of endpoints and in view of its known,
intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile,
EPA does not expect estimated exposures to alter the assessment
supporting its initiation as a candidate for potential designation as a
low priority substance. While EPA will present an independent review if
this chemical is proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that
this chemical has been evaluated and determined to be ``low priority
for further work'' in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (January
2001).
    19. Propanol, oxybis- (CAS RN 25265-71-8), Docket ID number: EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2019-0124. EPA has selected propanol, oxybis- for initiation as
a candidate for potential designation as a low priority substance
because it has a comprehensive data set demonstrating lower hazard,
based on an internationally accepted set of low-concern thresholds for
a broad range of endpoints and in view of its known, intended and
reasonably foreseen uses. Given the low-hazard profile, EPA does not
expect estimated exposures to alter the assessment supporting its
initiation as a candidate for potential designation as a low priority
substance. While EPA will present an independent review if this
chemical is proposed as a Low Priority Substance, EPA notes that this
chemical has been evaluated and determined to be ``low priority for
further work'' in the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report (January
2001).
    20. Tetracosane, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl- (CAS RN 111-01-3),
Docket ID number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0125. EPA has selected tetracosane,
2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl- for initiation as a candidate for potential
designation as a low priority substance because it has a comprehensive
data set demonstrating lower hazard, based on an internationally
accepted set of low-concern thresholds for a broad range of endpoints
and in view of its known, intended and reasonably foreseen uses. Given
the low-hazard profile, EPA does not expect estimated exposures to
alter the assessment supporting its initiation as a candidate for
potential designation as a low priority substance.

V. Relevant Information

    Through this initiation of prioritization for a chemical substance,
EPA is providing a 90-day comment period as required by the statute
(TSCA section 6(b)(1)(C)(i)) and implementing regulations (40 CFR
702.7(d)), and requests that interested persons voluntarily submit
relevant information. Relevant information might include, but is not
limited to, information that may inform the screening review conducted
pursuant to 40 CFR 702.9(a) and consistent with the scientific standard
of TSCA section 26(h), as follows:
     The chemical substance's hazard and exposure potential;
     The chemical substance's persistence and bioaccumulation;
     Potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations which
the submitter believes are relevant to the prioritization;
     Whether there is any storage of the chemical substance
near significant sources of drinking water, including the storage
facility location and the nearby drinking water source(s);
     The chemical substance's conditions of use or significant
changes in conditions of use, including information regarding trade
names;
     The chemical substance's production volume or significant
changes in production volume; and
     Any other information relevant to the potential risks of
the chemical substance that might be relevant to the designation of the
chemical substance's priority for risk evaluation.
    If the information is publicly available, citations are sufficient
(including, but not limited to: Title, author, date of publication,
publication source), and the submission does not need to include copies
of the information.
    A person seeking to protect from disclosure as ``confidential
business information'' any information that person submits under TSCA
must assert and substantiate a claim for protection from disclosure
concurrent with submission of the information in accordance with the
requirements of TSCA section 14. While EPA may consider confidential
business information when conducting its review under 40 CFR 702.9(a),
the Agency encourages submitters to minimize claims for protection from
disclosure wherever possible to maximize transparency in EPA's
screening review. More information on asserting and substantiating
confidential business information claims under TSCA can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/tsca-cbi.

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.

    Dated: March 18, 2019.
Andrew R. Wheeler,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2019-05404 Filed 3-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42282-42284]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18002]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC18-13-000]

Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-537); Comment
Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Comment request.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or
FERC) is submitting its information collection FERC-537 (Gas Pipeline
Certificates: Construction, Acquisition, and Abandonment) to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection
requirements. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB
and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as
explained below. The Commission previously issued a Notice in the
Federal Register on May 21, 2018, requesting public comments. The
Commission received two comments on the FERC-537 and is making this
notation in its submittal to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by September
20, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No.
1902-0060, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs: [email protected]. Attention: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be
reached via telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in
Docket No. IC18-13-000, by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's website: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in
accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support
by email at [email protected], or by phone at:<PHONE_NUMBER>
(toll-free), or<PHONE_NUMBER> for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and
issuances in this docket may do so at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at
[email protected], by telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER>, and by fax at
(202) 273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: FERC-537 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Construction,
Acquisition, and Abandonment).
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0060.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-537 information
collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements.
    Abstract: The FERC-537 information collection requires natural gas
companies to file the necessary information with FERC in order for the
Commission to determine if the requested certificate should be
authorized. Certain self-implementing construction and abandonment
programs do not require the filing of applications. However, those
types of programs do require the filing of annual reports, so many less
significant actions can be reported in a single filing/response and
less detail would be required.
    The data required to be submitted in a normal certificate filing
consists of identification of the company and responsible officials,
factors considered in the location of the facilities and the impact on
the area for environmental considerations. Also to be submitted are the
following, as applicable to the specific request:
     Flow diagrams showing the design capacity for engineering
design verification and safety determination;
     Cost of proposed facilities, plans for financing, and
estimated revenues and expenses related to the proposed facility for
accounting and financial evaluation.
     Existing and proposed storage capacity and pressures and
reservoir

engineering studies for requests to increase storage capacity;
     An affidavit showing the consent of existing customers for
abandonment of service requests.
    Additionally, requests for an increase of pipeline capacity must
include a statement that demonstrates compliance with the Commission's
Certificate Policy Statement by making a showing that the cost of the
expansion will not be subsidized by existing customers and that there
will not be adverse economic impacts to existing customers, competing
pipelines or their customers, nor to landowners and to surrounding
communities.
    Type of Respondents: Natural gas companies.
    Responses to public comments:
    To the comment received from Ms. Joanne Collins on 5/30/2018, FERC
responds:

    Commenter points out that the collection of data and information
from applicants requesting authorization to construct and operate
natural gas pipelines can create a secondary burden on the general
citizenry to learn about the Commission's rules and process; and
further to perhaps take costly and time consuming efforts to
participate in the Commission's proceedings. The Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 was not intended to measure this type of secondary
burden; only the primary burden on those applicant entities to
collect and compile the information necessary for the Government to
make an informed decision and take appropriate action. The
Commission has multiple ways, times, and methods for the general
citizenry to appropriately input their views on the Commission's
rules and process, or its individual proceedings.

    To the comment received from Ms. Laurie Lubsen on 6/4/2018, FERC
responds:

    Commenter concurs in the collection of information necessary for
the Commission to make an informed decision and take appropriate
action is appropriate, but does not want less information that is
needed to not be collected solely because it is a burden on those
seeking authorizations. We confirm that all the information required
by FERC-537 continues to be necessary and that no data collections
have been revised in this current review on FERC-537. Commenter
notes that automated ways to collect information, such as eFiling
are good, as long as they are not ultimately required of all fliers.

    Estimate of Annual Burden: \1\ The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden for the information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. Refer to
5 CFR 1320.3 for additional information.
    \2\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the
following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $79.00/hour =
Average cost/response. The figure is the 2018 FERC average hourly
cost (for wages and benefits) of $79.00 (and an average annual
salary of $164,820/year). Commission staff is using the FERC average
salary because we consider any reporting requirements completed in
response to the FERC-537 to be compensated at rates similar to the
work of FERC employees.
    \3\ Each of the figures in this column are rounded to the
nearest dollar.
    \4\ This figure was derived from 135 responses / 129 respondents
= 1.046 or ~1.05 responses/respondent.
    \5\ This figure was derived from 84 responses / 83 respondents =
1.012 or ~1.01 responses/respondent.
    \6\ One-time filings, new tariff and rate design proposal, or
request for exemptions.
    \7\ This figure was derived from 7 responses / 5 respondents =
1.4 responses/respondent.
    \8\ The 335 responses are derived from 214 individual
respondents.

                                                        FERC-537 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Construction, Acquisition, and Abandonment)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Annual number
                                              Number of     of responses    Total number    Average burden and cost per response     Total annual burden hours and total annual      Cost per
                                             respondents   per respondent   of responses                     \2\                                        cost                      respondent ($)
                                                      (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)...................................  (3) * (4) = (5)..............................   (5) / (1) \3\
                                                                                (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 CFR 157.5-.11 (Interstate Certificate               52            1.19              62  500 hrs.; $39,500.....................  31,000; $2,449,000...........................         $47,096
 and Abandonment Applications.
18 CFR 157.53 (Pipeline Purging/Testing                 1               1               1  50 hrs.; $3,950.......................  50 hrs.; $3,950..............................           3,950
 Exemptions).
18 CFR 157.201-.209; 157.211; 157.214-                 21            1.86              39  200 hrs.; $15,800.....................  7,800 hrs.; $616,200.........................          29,343
 .218 (Blanket Certificates Prior to
 Notice Filings).
18 CFR 157.201-.209; 157.211; 157.214-                129        \4\ 1.05             135  50 hrs.; $3,950.......................  6,750 hrs.; $533,250.........................           4,134
 .218 (Blanket Certificates--Annual
 Reports).
18 CFR 284.11 (NGPA Section 311                        83        \5\ 1.01              84  50 hrs.; $3,950.......................  4,200 hrs.; $331,800.........................           3,998
 Construction--Annual Reports).
18 CFR 284.8.............................             178               0               0  N/A...................................  N/A..........................................             N/A

18 CFR 284.13(e) and 284.126(a)                         2               1               2  30 hrs.; $2,370.......................  60 hrs.; $4,740..............................           2,370
 (Interstate and Intrastate Bypass
 Notice).
18 CFR 284.221 (Blanket Certificates) \6\               5         \7\ 1.4               7  100 hrs.; $7,900......................  700 hrs.; $55,300............................          11,060
18 CFR 224 (Hinshaw Blanket Certificates)               2               1               2  75 hrs.; $5,925.......................  150 hrs.; $11,850............................           5,925
18 CFR 157.5-.11; 157.13-.20 (Non-                      3               1               3  75 hrs.; $5,925.......................  225 hrs.; $17,775............................           5,925
 facility Certificate or Abandonment
 Applications.
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total................................  ..............  ..............         \8\ 335  ......................................  50,935 hrs.; $4,023,865......................  ..............
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    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Commission, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden and
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.

    Dated: August 14, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-18002 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register: October 26, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 206)]
[Notices]
[Page 61807-61808]
[DOCID:fr26oc05-77]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Notice of Application for Transfer of License and To Change Name
of Project and Soliciting Comments, Motions to Intervene, and Protests

October 20, 2005.
    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:
    a. Application Type: Transfer of License.
    b. Project No.: 7000-030.
    c. Date Filed: October 4, 2005.
    d. Applicants: Brascan Power St. Lawrence River LLC, formerly known
as: Orion Power New York GP II, Inc. (Transferor). Erie Boulevard
Hydropower, L.P. (Transferee).
    e. Name and Location of Project: The Newton Falls Hydroelectric
Project is located on the Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County, New
York.
    f. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.
    g. Applicants' Contact: Amy S. Koch, Patton Boggs LLP, 2550 M
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    h. FERC Contact: James Hunter at<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    i. Deadline for filing comments, protests, and motions to
intervene: November 10, 2005.
    All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with:
Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments, protests, and
interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of
paper; see 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the
Commission's Web site under the ``e-Filing'' link. The Commission
strongly encourages electronic filings. Please include the Project
Number on any comments or motions filed.
    The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all
intervenors filing a document with the Commission to serve a copy of
that document on each person in the official service list for the
project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the

Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the
responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve
a copy of the documents on that resource agency.
    j. Description of Application: The Applicants seek Commission
approval to transfer the license for the Newton Falls Hydroelectric
Project from the Transferor to the Transferee as part of an internal
corporate reorganization.
    k. This filing is available for review at the Commission in the
Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at
http://www.ferc.gov using the ``FERRIS'' link. Enter the docket number

(P-7000) in the docket number field to access the document. For
assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>For TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>. A copy is

also available for inspection and reproduction at the addresses in item
g. above.
    l. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing
list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.
    m. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit
comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the
requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211,
.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission
will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who
file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules
may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or
motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified
comment date for the particular application.
    n. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filings must
bear in all capital letters the title ``Comments'', ``Protest'', or
``Motion to Intervene'', as applicable, and the Project Number of the
particular application to which the filing refers. Any of the above-
named documents must be filed by providing the original and eight
copies to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any motion to
intervene must also be served upon each representative of the
Applicants specified in the particular application.
    o. Agency Comments: Federal, state, and local agencies are invited
to file comments on the described application. A copy of the
application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicants.
If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for
filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of
an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicants'
representatives.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-5929 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36575-36576]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15154]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments;
Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Implementation
to the Equal Access to Justice Act

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA
invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information
collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments on the following collection of information was
published on April 14, 2014, vol. 79, no. 71, pages 20963-20964. The
information is needed to determine an applicant's eligibility for an
award of attorney's fees and other expenses under the Equal Access to
Justice Act.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by July 28, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy DePaepe at<PHONE_NUMBER>, or by
email at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 2120-0539.
    Title: Implementation to the Equal Access to Justice Act.
    Form Numbers: There are no FAA forms associated with this
collection.
    Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection.
    Background: The Equal Access to Justice Act provides for the award
of attorney fees and other expenses to eligible individuals and
entities who are prevailing parties in administrative proceedings
before government agencies. Certain information must be obtained from
the applicant in order to determine such applicant's eligibility for
the EAJA award.
    Respondents: Approximately 17 applicants.
    Frequency: Information is collected on occasion.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 40 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 680 hours.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be
addressed to the attention of the Desk Officer, Department of
Transportation/FAA, and sent via electronic mail to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or faxed to<PHONE_NUMBER>, or mailed to the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC
20503.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d)
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of
the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include
your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information
collection.

    Issued in Washington, DC on June 23, 2014.
Albert R. Spence,
FAA Assistant Information Collection Clearance Officer. IT Enterprises
Business Services Division, ASP-110.
[FR Doc. 2014-15154 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18161-18162]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06275]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2023-0002]

Final Flood Hazard Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland
Security.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or
modifications of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths,
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or
regulatory floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and where
applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports have
been made final for the communities listed in the table below. The FIRM
and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that
a community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having
in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP).

DATES: The date of August 1, 2023 has been established for the FIRM
and, where applicable, the supporting FIS report showing the new or
modified flood hazard information for each community.

ADDRESSES: The FIRM, and if applicable, the FIS report containing the
final flood hazard information for each community is available for
inspection at the respective Community Map Repository address listed in
the tables below and will be available online through the FEMA Map
Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov by the date indicated above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering
Services Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA,
400 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>, or (email)
[email protected]; or visit the FEMA Mapping and Insurance
eXchange (FMIX) online at https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) makes the final determinations listed below for the new or
modified flood hazard information for each community listed.
Notification of these changes has been published in

newspapers of local circulation and 90 days have elapsed since that
publication. The Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and
Mitigation has resolved any appeals resulting from this notification.
    This final notice is issued in accordance with section 110 of the
Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. 4104, and 44 CFR part
67. FEMA has developed criteria for floodplain management in floodprone
areas in accordance with 44 CFR part 60.
    Interested lessees and owners of real property are encouraged to
review the new or revised FIRM and FIS report available at the address
cited below for each community or online through the FEMA Map Service
Center at https://msc.fema.gov.
    The flood hazard determinations are made final in the watersheds
and/or communities listed in the table below.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 97.022, ``Flood
Insurance.'')

Michael M. Grimm,
Assistant Administrator for Risk Management, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Community map repository
               Community                             address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           New London County, Connecticut (All Jurisdictions)
                         Docket No.: FEMA-B-2180
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borough of Jewett City.................  Town Clerk's Office, 28 Main
                                          Street, Jewett City, CT 06351.
Town of Griswold.......................  Town Clerk's Office, 28 Main
                                          Street, Griswold, CT 06351.
Town of Lisbon.........................  Town Hall, 1 Newent Road,
                                          Lisbon, CT 06351.
Town of North Stonington...............  Town Clerk's Office, 40 Main
                                          Street, North Stonington, CT
                                          06359.
Town of Preston........................  Town Hall, 389 Route 2,
                                          Preston, CT 06365.
Town of Voluntown......................  Town Hall, Town Clerk's Office,
                                          115 Main Street, Voluntown, CT
                                          06384.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Frederick County, Maryland and Incorporated Areas
                         Docket No.: FEMA-B-2103
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Brunswick......................  City Annex, Planning and Zoning
                                          Department, 601 East Potomac
                                          Street, Brunswick, MD 21716.
City of Frederick......................  City Office Annex, Engineering
                                          Department, 140 West Patrick
                                          Street, 3rd Floor, Frederick,
                                          MD 21701.
Town of Burkittsville..................  Town Office, 500 East Main
                                          Street, Burkittsville, MD
                                          21718.
Town of Emmitsburg.....................  Planning and Zoning Department,
                                          300A South Seton Avenue,
                                          Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
Town of Middletown.....................  Municipal Center, 31 West Main
                                          Street, Middletown, MD 21769.
Town of Myersville.....................  Town Hall, 301 Main Street,
                                          Myersville, MD 21773.
Town of New Market.....................  Town Hall, 40 South Alley, New
                                          Market, MD 21774.
Town of Thurmont.......................  Town Office, 615 East Main
                                          Street, Thurmont, MD 21788.
Town of Walkersville...................  Town Hall, 21 West Frederick
                                          Street, Walkersville, MD
                                          21793.
Town of Woodsboro......................  Town of Woodsboro, Planning and
                                          Zoning Department, Winchester
                                          Hall, 12 East Church Street,
                                          Frederick, MD 21701.
Unincorporated Areas of Frederick        Frederick County Planning and
 County.                                  Zoning Department, 30 North
                                          Market Street, Frederick, MD
                                          21701.
Village of Rosemont....................  Office of the Rosemont Burgess,
                                          1219 Rosemont Drive, Rosemont,
                                          MD 21758.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Dent County, Missouri and Incorporated Areas
                         Docket No.: FEMA-B-2234
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Salem..........................  City Administration Building,
                                          400 North Iron Street, Salem,
                                          MO 65560.
Unincorporated Areas of Dent County....  Dent County Courthouse, 400
                                          North Main Street, Salem, MO
                                          65560.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Kanawha County, West Virginia and Incorporated Areas
                         Docket No.: FEMA-B-2227
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Town of Clendenin......................  Town Hall, 103 1st Street,
                                          Clendenin, WV 25045.
Unincorporated Areas of Kanawha County.  Office of the Floodplain
                                          Administrator, 407 Virginia
                                          Street East, 2nd Floor,
                                          Charleston, WV 25301.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2023-06275 Filed 3-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-12-P


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 92 (Monday, May 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22385-22386]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09703]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2017-0014]

Technical Report Evaluating Fatality Reduction by Seat Belts in
the Center Rear Seat

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Request for comments on technical report.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces NHTSA's publication of a technical
report estimating the fatality-reducing effectiveness of seat belts for
adult and adolescent passengers in the center rear seats of passenger
cars and LTVs. The report's title is: Fatality Reduction by Seat Belts
in the Center Rear Seat and Comparison of Occupants' Relative Fatality
Risk at Various Seating Positions.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than September 12, 2017.

ADDRESSES:
    Report: The technical report is available on the Internet for
viewing in PDF format at https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812369.
    Comments: You may submit comments, identified by Docket Number
NHTSA-2017-0014, by any of the following methods:
     Internet: To submit comments electronically, go to the
U.S. Government regulations Web site at http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: Written comments may be faxed to<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: If you plan to submit written comments by
hand or courier, please do so at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays
     You may call Docket Management at 1-800-647-5527.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and
additional information see the Comments heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document. Note that all comments received
will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kindelberger, Chief, Evaluation
Division, NVS-431, National Center for Statistics and Analysis,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room W53-312, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
Email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2002 Anton's Law (Pub. L. 107-318)
directed NHTSA to require 3-point belts for each rear seating
position--including center rear seats--in new passenger motor vehicles
by September 1, 2007. Manufacturers had begun installing 3-point belts
at the center rear seats in some makes and models as early as 1994, and
completed the transition from lap belts to 3-point belts on time.
Double-pair comparison and logistic regression analyses of FARS data
for 1990 to 2014 show that 3-point belts are highly effective in the
center rear seats: Buckling up reduces passengers' fatality risk by an
estimated 58 percent in passenger cars (95% confidence bounds: 41% to
69%) and by 75 percent in LTVs (confidence bounds: 63% to 84%).
    In cars of the 1960s and 70s, when restraints use rates were lower,
the rear seats were substantially safer than the front seats for
unrestrained occupants, and the center rear seat even safer than the
outboard rear seats. These differences between seats have substantially
diminished over the past 30 years. Statistical analyses of FARS do not
show statistically significant mitigation of fatality risk for outboard
rear or center rear seats of passenger cars relative to the driver's or
right front seats, for belted occupants of the same age and gender.
Corresponding analyses of LTVs show reduced fatality risk for the right
front and right rear seats relative to the driver's seat; however, they
do not show significant advantages for the outboard rear or center rear
seats relative to the right front seats.

Comments

    NHTSA welcomes public review of the technical report. NHTSA will
submit to the Docket a response to the comments and, if appropriate,
will supplement or revise the report.

How do I prepare and submit comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your
comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the Docket
number of this document (NHTSA-2017-0014) in your comments.
    Your primary comments must not be more than 15 pages long (49 CFR
553.21). However, you may attach additional documents to your primary
comments. There is no limit on the length of the attachments.
    Please submit one copy of your comments, including the attachments,
to Docket Management at the address given above under ADDRESSES.
    Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order for
substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agency, it must meet
the information quality standards set forth in the OMB and DOT Data
Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the
guidelines in preparing your comments. DOT's guidelines may be accessed
at http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/sites/rita.dot.gov.bts/files/subject_areas/statistical_policy_and_research/data_quality_guidelines/index.html.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

How can I be sure that my comments were received?

    If you wish Docket Management to notify you upon its receipt of
your comments, enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard in the
envelope containing your comments. Upon receiving your comments, Docket
Management will return the postcard by mail. You may also periodically
access http://www.regulations.gov and enter the number for this docket
(NHTSA-2017-0014) to see if your comments are on line.

How do I submit confidential business information?

    If you wish to submit any information under a claim of
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. In
addition, you should submit a copy, from which you have deleted the
claimed confidential business

information, to Docket Management at the address given above under
ADDRESSES. When you send a comment containing information claimed to be
confidential business information, you should include a cover letter
setting forth the information specified in our confidential business
information regulation. (49 CFR part 512.)

Will the agency consider late comments?

    In our response, we will consider all comments that Docket
Management receives before the close of business on the comment closing
date indicated above under DATES. To the extent possible, we will also
consider comments that Docket Management receives after that date.

How can I read the comments submitted by other people?

    You may read the comments received by Docket Management at the
address given above under ADDRESSES. The hours of the Docket are
indicated above in the same location.
    You may also see the comments on the Internet. To read the comments
on the Internet, take the following steps:
    (1) Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Regulations.gov provides two basic methods of searching to
retrieve dockets and docket materials that are available in the system:
(a) ``Search'' to search using a full-text search engine, or (b)
``Advanced Search,'' which displays various indexed fields such as the
docket name, docket identification number, phase of the action,
initiating office, date of issuance, document title, document
identification number, type of document, Federal Register reference,
CFR citation, etc. Each data field in the advanced search may be
searched independently or in combination with other fields, as desired.
Each search yields a simultaneous display of all available information
found in regulations.gov that is relevant to the requested subject or
topic.
    (3) You may download the comments. However, since the comments are
imaged documents, instead of word processing documents, the ``pdf''
versions of the documents are word searchable.
    Please note that even after the comment closing date, we will
continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it becomes
available. Further, some people may submit late comments. Accordingly,
we recommend that you periodically check the Docket for new material.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30111, 30181-83 delegation of authority at
49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Joseph M. Kolly,
Acting Associate Administrator, National Center for Statistics and
Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2017-09703 Filed 5-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P