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Actions Initiated by Month
From this page, you can learn about the rules and other regulatory actions we initiate each month.
- September 2009 Action Initiation List (AIL)
- August 2009 AIL
- What is an AIL?
- How Do I Access Past AILs?
- How Do I Know When a New List Has Been Posted?
- What Does Each Column in an AIL Mean?
September 2009 Action Initiation List
Download the September 2009 AIL (PDF) (7 pp, 83K, About PDF).
RIN What's This? |
Title |
Stage What's This? |
Contact |
Abstract |
Projected Publication Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2060-AP88 | Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule for Geologic Sequestration Sites | NPRM | Lisa Bacanskas 202 343-9758 Bacanskas.Lisa@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP89 | Federal Reference Method for Lead in Total Suspended Particulate Matter | NPRM | Joann Rice 919 541-3372 Rice.Joann@epa.gov |
More than 12 months |
|
| 2060-AP90 | NSPS/Emission Guidelines (EG) for Sewage Sludge Incinerators | NPRM | Amy Hambrick 919 541-0964 Hambrick.Amy@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP91 | Requirements for Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air Act Sections, Sections 112(g) and 112(j) | NPRM | Rick Colyer 919 541-5262 Colyer.Rick@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP92 | Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: The 2011 Critical Use Exemption from the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide | NPRM | Jeremy Arling 202 343-9055 Arling.Jeremy@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP93 | Revision of New Source Performance Standards for New Residential Wood Heaters | NPRM | Gil Wood 919 541-5272 Wood.Gil@epa.gov |
More than 12 months |
|
| 2060-AP94 | National VOC Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings; Amendments | NPRM | Bruce Moore 919 541-5460 Moore.Bruce@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP95 | National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins | NPRM | Mary Kissell 919 541-4516 Kissell.Mary@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP96 | Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction Amendments to Certain MACT Standards | NPRM | Rick Colyer 919 541-5262 Colyer.Rick@epa.gov |
More than 12 months |
|
| 2060-AP97 | National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Elemental Phosphorous Production | NPRM | Susan Fairchild 919 541-5167 Fairchild.Susan@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2070-AJ60 | Mercury Export Ban Act; Procedures for Essential Use Exemptions | NPRM | Julie Simpson 202 566-1980 Simpson.Julie@epa.gov |
More than 12 months |
|
| 2070-AJ61 | Pesticides; Clarifying Changes to Labeling | NPRM | Rame Cromwell 703 308-9068 Cromwell.Rame@epa.gov |
More than 12 months |
|
| 2070-AJ62 | Pesticides; Public Availability of Identities of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides | ANPRM | Cameo Smoot 703 305-5454 Smoot.Cameo@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
August 2009 Action Initiation List
Download the August 2009 AIL (PDF) (6 pp, 63K, About PDF).
RIN What's This? |
Title |
Stage What's This? |
Contact |
Abstract |
Projected Publication Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-AA28 | Toxics Release Inventory; Addition of National Toxicology Program Carcinogens | NPRM | Daniel Bushman 202-566-0743 Bushman.Daniel@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP85 | NESHAP: Area Source Standards -- Aluminum, Copper, and Other Nonferrous Foundries; Final Rule, Technical Amendment | Direct Final | Gary Blais 919 541-3223 Blais.Gary@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2060-AP87 | Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD): Reconsideration of Interpretation of Regulations that Determine Pollutants Covered by the Federal PSD Permit Program | NPRM | Dave Svendsgaard 919 541-2380 Svendsgaard.Dave@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2070-AJ55 | Lead; Amendment to the Opt-out and Recordkeeping Provisions in the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program | NPRM | Marc Edmonds 202-566-0758 Edmonds.Marc@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2070-AJ56 | Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program for Public and Commercial Buildings | ANPRM | Hans Scheifele 202 564-1459 Scheifele.Hans@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2070-AJ57 | Lead; Clearance and Clearance Testing Requirements for the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program | NPRM | Cindy Wheeler 202 566-0484 Wheeler.Cindy@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2070-AJ58 | Pesticides; Satisfaction of Data Requirements; Minor Revisions to the Procedures to Ensure Protection of Data Submitters' Rights | NPRM | Cameo Smoot 703-305-5454 Smoot.Cameo@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
|
| 2070-AJ59 | Amendments to the Procedural Rules for Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs) | NPRM | Jessica Barkas 202-250-8880 Barkas.Jessica@epa.gov |
12 months or less |
Abstracts for September 2009 AIL
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule for Geologic Sequestration Sites
EPA is working to finalize a rule that would require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from large emissions sources in the United States, as required by the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act. This is a reporting rule to collect accurate and comprehensive emissions data to inform future policy decisions. During noticeand- comment for the proposal, EPA received comments that the Agency should include downstream end-users of carbon dioxide (CO2) - in particular, CO2 used for enhanced oil recovery and/or CO2 geologically sequestered. EPA does not plan to include those end-users in the final mandatory reporting rule or issue a supplemental proposal. Instead, the Agency is initiating this separate rulemaking to specifically address geologic sequestration (GS). The rule would outline new requirements for GHG reporting for CO2 injection sites, and a process for sites to opt-in to report GS. In addition to tracking CO2 emissions across CO2 capture and injection, this rule would allow EPA to collect data on efficacy of GS sites for long-term storage of CO2. - Back
Federal Reference Method for Lead in Total Suspended Particulate Matter
On November 12, 2008 EPA substantially strengthened the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead. EPA revised the level of the primary (healthbased) standard from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 0.15µg/m3, measured as total suspended particles (TSP) and revised the secondary (welfarebased) standard to be identical in all respects to the primary standard. In conjunction with strengthening the lead (Pb) NAAQS, EPA identified the need for states to improve existing lead monitoring networks. Depending on specific circumstances, States may have the option of using monitoring for either lead in TSP (Pb-TSP) or lead in PM10 (Pb-PM10) using approved Federal Reference Methods (FRMs) or Federal Equivalent Methods (FEMs) to meet monitoring requirements. To support new monitoring requirements, an FRM for Pb-PM10 was developed with the November 8, 2008 rulemaking. The FRM for Pb-TSP was left unchanged. The Pb-TSP FRM was promulgated in 1978. EPA recognizes that significant advances in measurement technology have been made since the promulgation of the original FRM. In order to support new monitoring requirements for Pb-TSP and update the FRM to improve it based on advanced measurement technology, a new FRM must be developed. - Back
NSPS/Emission Guidelines (EG) for Sewage Sludge Incinerators
Under section 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is required to adopt and implement maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards for both new and existing Sewage Sludge Incineration units (SSI). Regulations for Other Solid Waste Incinerators (OSWI) were promulgated on December 15, 2005. However, at that time, EPA did not issue standards or guidelines for SSI units and several other incinerator categories. In 2007, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision vacating EPA's definition of "solid waste incineration unit," holding that "any facility that combusts any commercial or industrial solid waste material at all" is a commercial or industrial solid waste incineration unit. Based on this decision, in this rulemaking, EPA is re-evaluating whether SSI units are in fact solid waste incineration units and whether, as such, they must be regulated under section 129. - Back
Requirements for Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air Act Sections, Sections 112(g) and 112(j)
As required by Clean Air Act Section 112(g), in cases where EPA fails to promulgate a Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standard for a major source category, the owner or operator of a source in that category must obtain an operating permit with case-by-case emission limitations determined to be equivalent to MACT. EPA's program for implementing this requirement is codified at 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart B. In this action, we are revising Subpart B to address the process for obtaining case-by-case MACT determinations in the case of standards vacatur. We are also reformatting the rule to streamline it and make it easier to understand. There has been significant confusion from permitting authorities on how this program works in the case of vacaturs. - Back
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: The 2011 Critical Use Exemption from the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide
This action would authorize uses that will qualify for the 2011 critical use exemption from the phaseout of methyl bromide, and would also authorize the amount of methyl bromide that may be produced, imported, or supplied from inventory for those uses in 2011. EPA takes this action under the authority of the Clean Air Act to reflect recent consensus Decisions taken by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer at the 21st Meeting of the Parties. The Parties have approved critical use methyl bromide every year since the phaseout in 2005. Since this rulemaking would confer a benefit by exempting the production and use of a phasedout chemical, there is no significant adverse impact on small entities. - Back
Revision of New Source Performance Standards for New Residential Wood Heaters
EPA is revising the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) for residential wood heaters (60 CFR Subpart AAA) under Clean Air Act Section 111(b)(1)(B). This action will update the 1988 NSPS to reflect significant advancements in wood heater technologies and design, broaden the range of residential wood heating appliances covered by the regulation, and improve and streamline implementation procedures. - Back
National VOC Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings; Amendments
This action amends the existing Architectural Coatings Rule at 40 CFR Part 59, subpart D to update the categories and limits to make them consistent with the Ozone Transport Commission model rule. This action is being done in response to a Clean Air Act Advisory Committee recommendation. This action was originally combined with similar amendments for consumer and commercial products under the "National VOC Emission Standards for Consumer Products; Amendments" (RIN 2060-AI62). However, it has now been determined that the other source categories in 2060-AI62 will be delayed due to the need for further analysis, and EPA has decided to separate out the Architectural Coatings piece as a separate rulemaking. - Back
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Group I Polymers and Resins
Recent legal actions have prompted a re-evaluation of the control standards in many of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in 40 CFR Part 63, including Polymers and Resins I. This rulemaking will carry out that re-evaluation for Polymers and Resins I. As part of this effort, we plan to investigate if more controls are needed for back-end process vents and halogenated vent streams. - Back
Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction Amendments to Certain MACT Standards
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the startup, shutdown, and malfunction exemptions of the part 63 General Provisions. These amendments would establish emission standards for some SSM events for certain MACT standards that would be affected immediately by the vacatur. These amendments will be developed to limit enforcement liability to affected sources. - Back
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Elemental Phosphorous Production
Elemental Phosphorus Production was not listed as one of the categories on the Source Category list to be regulated under Clean Air Act Section 112. However, we have received petitions from States to develop a Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) standard for this category, and have heard interest in its development from environmental groups. Therefore, in this rulemaking, we plan to list and regulate this source category.
One elemental phosphorous plant remains in the US.
The production of elemental phosphorous involves mining of phosphate ore, sizing of the mined material, calcining the processed ore, and blending it with silica and coke before melting it in a furnace under reduced (no oxygen) conditions. During the furnace process, elemental phosphorous is evolved as a gas and captured, then condensed in a cooling process and transferred into tanks and cylinders under pressure.
All of the elemental phosphorous in the US is produced at one plant and about 90% of it is used as a raw material for the production of Roundup(c), a Monsanto product. The remainder is used as a food grade additive and for military purposes.
The production processes emit particulate matter (PM), radionuclides, mercury (Hg), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
About a half ton of mercury is known to be emitted from the source annually. Mercury deposition in this area is a health problem in part due to the source's location in Idaho's recreation areas, near formerly pristine lakes and streams. Small residential areas and schools are within a few miles of the plant. Mercury is bioaccumulative (that is, it accumulates in the body's tissues), and crosses the blood / brain barrier and the placental barrier. Therefore, women and children are disproportionately affected by mercury emissions. Serious health effects are known to be caused by exposure to mercury. Additionally, mercury accumulates in the environment in fish, water, and soil. Because of this, it is also absorbed by wild game such as deer, fish, and fowl. Coincidentally, Idaho is a popular area for sportsmen, so although the native population of the area is relatively low, the potential for exposure to tourists (in the hot springs, camping, hiking, fishing and hunting) arenas may be significant.
The single remaining elemental phosphorous plant is not in Indian Lands, however, the effects of current mercury deposition from this plant may be affecting tribes, especially the children and women of those tribes. - Back
Mercury Export Ban Act; Procedures for Essential Use Exemptions
The Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-414) amends TSCA section 12 to prohibit the export of elemental mercury from the United States effective January 1, 2013. The new provision in TSCA allows any person residing in the U.S. to petition the Administrator for an exemption to the export ban. The Administrator may grant exemptions to the ban through notice and comment rulemaking, if the Administrator makes certain findings listed in the Act. The action being initiated will be a rulemaking to set out the standards and procedures for an exporter to petition and the Agency to issue these exemptions. Exemption requests themselves will be acted on through later rulemakings. - Back
Pesticides; Clarifying Changes to Labeling
EPA is planning a minor rulemaking to make revisions to 40 CFR part 156, Labeling Requirements for Pesticides and Devices. The purpose of this effort is to update the structure of the regulation and make several clarifying changes. In addition to these planned minor revisions, EPA will solicit suggestions from stakeholders on what the Agency might consider for future changes to the labeling regulations. - Back
Pesticides; Public Availability of Identities of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides
In response to two petitions under the Administrative Procedures Act seeking disclosure of selected inert ingredients on pesticide labels (based on the hazard of that ingredient), EPA is contemplating rulemaking to increase public availability of both potentially hazardous inert ingredients and of inert ingredient identities in general. This action would assist consumers and users of pesticides in making informed decisions and reduce the presence of potentially hazardous ingredients in pesticides. - Back
Abstracts for August 2009 AIL
Toxics Release Inventory; Addition of National Toxicology Program Carcinogens
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) periodically publishes its Report on Carcinogens (RoC) which classifies chemicals as either "known to be a human carcinogen" or "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." The RoC is a congressionally mandated scientific and public health document that provides data on carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and biologic mechanisms. The RoC evaluations are performed by scientists from the NTP, other Federal health research and regulatory agencies, and non-government institutions. The RoC review process includes external peer review and public comment.
EPA is reviewing the 11th edition of the NTP RoC to identify those chemicals that are not currently on the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list and that have not previously been reviewed for listing. EPA will propose to add to the TRI list, those NTP carcinogens that have sufficient production or use levels such that the Agency expects that TRI reports will be filed. - Back
NESHAP: Area Source Standards -- Aluminum, Copper, and Other Nonferrous Foundries; Final Rule, Technical Amendment
This action clarifies regulatory text of the final standards for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for area source aluminum, copper, and other nonferrous foundries. There is good cause for making this action final without prior proposal and opportunity for comment, because the changes to the rule are minor technical corrections, are noncontroversial, and do not substantively change the requirements of the rule. Minor corrections are being made to clarify the applicability requirements in §63.11544(a)(1), (2), and (3) to change the word "materials" to "material" and to delete the words "one or more" in the phrases "materials containing one or more aluminum foundry HAP as defined in §63.11556", "materials containing one or more copper foundry HAP, as defined in §63.11556", and "materials containing one or more other nonferrous foundry HAP, as defined in §63.11556." - Back
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD): Reconsideration of Interpretation of Regulations that Determine Pollutants Covered by the Federal PSD Permit Program
This action concerns the EPA's interpretation of the regulatory phrase "subject to regulation" as it applies to the federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program (more specifically, in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(50)). At issue is a Dec. 18, 2008 memorandum, titled "EPA's Interpretation of Regulations that Determine Pollutants Covered By Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit Program," which specified that a pollutant is only "subject to regulation" when its emissions are actually controlled or limited under a provision of the Clean Air Act (CAA) or a final EPA rule issued under the authority of the CAA. Following issuance of the memo, EPA received a petition for reconsideration from the Sierra Club and several other organizations. The petitioners argued that EPA's issuance of the Memo violated the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act and the CAA, and the Memo’s interpretation conflicted with prior agency actions. On Feb. 17, 2009, the Administrator granted reconsideration on the Dec. 18, 2008 memorandum in order to allow for public comment on the issues raised in the Memo and in a related decision of the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB). Thus, EPA will proceed with a reconsideration proceeding and conduct rulemaking regarding the proper interpretation of this regulatory phrase. - Back
Lead; Amendment to the Opt-out and Recordkeeping Provisions in the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program
EPA intends to propose several revisions to the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP) rule that established accreditation, training, certification, and recordkeeping requirements as well as work practice standards on persons performing renovations for compensation in most pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. This particular action will involve proposing amendments to the opt-out provision that currently exempts a renovator from the training and work practice requirements of the rule where he or she obtains a certification from the owner of a residence he or she occupies that no child under age 6 or pregnant women resides in the home and the home is not a child-occupied facility. EPA will propose revisions that involve renovation firms providing the owner with a copy of the records they are currently required to maintain to demonstrate compliance with the training and work practice requirements of the RRP rule and, if different, providing the information to the occupant of the building being renovated or the operator of the child-occupied facility. EPA will also propose various minor amendments to the regulations concerning applications for training provider accreditation, amending accreditations, course completion certificates, recordkeeping, State and Tribal program requirements, and grandfathering (i.e., taking a refresher training in lieu of the initial training). In addition, the proposed amendments intend to clarify that certain requirements apply to the RRP rule as well as the Lead-based Paint Activities (abatement) regulations, that a certified inspector or risk assessor can act as a dust sampling technician, which hands-on training topics are required for renovator and dust sampling technician courses, and requirements for States and Tribes that apply to become authorized to implement the RRP program. - Back
Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program for Public and Commercial Buildings
Section 402(c)(3) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to regulate renovation or remodeling activities in target housing (most pre-1978 housing), pre-1978 public buildings, and commercial buildings that create lead-based paint hazards. On April 22, 2008, EPA issued a final rule to address lead-based paint hazards created by these activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. In this rule, child-occupied facilities are a subset of public and commercial buildings or facilities where children under age 6 spend a great deal of time. The 2008 rule established requirements for training renovators, other renovation workers, and dust sampling technicians; for certifying renovators, dust sampling technicians, and renovation firms; for accrediting providers of renovation and dust sampling technician training; for renovation work practices; and for recordkeeping. This new rulemaking will address renovation or remodeling activities in the remaining buildings described in TSCA section 402(c)(3): Public buildings built before 1978 and commercial buildings that are not child-occupied facilities. - Back
Lead; Clearance and Clearance Testing Requirements for the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program
EPA intends to propose several revisions to the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP) rule that established accreditation, training, certification, and recordkeeping requirements as well as work practice standards for persons performing renovations for compensation in most pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Current requirements include training renovators, other renovation workers, and dust sampling technicians; for certifying renovators, dust sampling technicians, and renovation firms; for accrediting providers of renovation and dust sampling technician training; for renovation work practices; and for recordkeeping. EPA is particularly concerned about dust lead hazards generated by renovations because children, especially younger children, are at risk for high exposures of lead-based paint dust via hand-to-mouth exposure. For this particular action, EPA will consider whether to establish additional requirements to ensure that renovation work areas are adequately cleaned after renovation work is finished and before the areas are re-occupied. These additional requirements may include dust wipe testing after renovations and ensuring that renovation work areas meet clearance standards before re-occupancy. - Back
Pesticides; Satisfaction of Data Requirements; Minor Revisions to the Procedures to Ensure Protection of Data Submitters' Rights
This action will revise and update EPA's existing regulations in 40 CFR part 152, subpart E. The proposal will address changes to procedures for the protection of exclusive use and data compensation rights of individuals and entities that submit data to the Agency in support of a pesticide registration decision (i.e., data submitters). The revisions are to accommodate statutory and procedural changes that have occurred over the last 25 years since issuance in 1984. The revisions would simplify the procedures, reduce burdens upon certain data submitters, and make minor changes to clarify the requirements. - Back
Amendments to the Procedural Rules for Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs)
The proposed rule would revise the procedures for negotiating Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs) to develop test data under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The main features of the ECA process that we will propose to change include the following: when and how to initiate negotiations; setting a firm deadline at which negotiations will terminate; revising (delete, modify, or consolidate) several parts of 40 CFR Part 790 to place the ECA provisions in one section and the Interagency Testing Committee (ITC) provisions in a separate section; clarifying that there is one ECA negotiation procedure applicable to all circumstances where an ECA is being considered; and conforming changes in other sections that reference the ECA procedures. The ECA procedures were established to provide an effective alternative to TSCA Section 4 test rule, and provide a timely, efficient, and enforceable means of working with interested parties to gather test data on chemicals under TSCA. Experience with the procedures over the past two decades indicates that several changes need to be made to improve the ECA process. - Back
What is an Action Initiation List (AIL)?
Generally, AILs include those actions that 1) will appear in our upcoming Semiannual Regulatory Agenda and 2) have been approved for commencement by EPA's Regulatory Policy Officer. In rare instances, an action will not appear on an AIL before it appears in an Agenda.
The AILs are a snapshot of the rules EPA initiates each month. Each action appears on only one list. We do not update actions that were listed in previous AILs. Every six months, more up-to-date information is available in our Agenda.
You may track an action by its RIN, which appears in both the AILs and the Agenda.
How Do I Access Past AILs?
Every month's AIL may be found in our AIL docket (#OA-2008-0265) on Regulations.gov. Dockets older than two months are removed from this Web page and are only available in the docket.
How Do I Know When a New List Has Been Posted?
You can sign up to be notified via email when a new list is added to our AIL docket. To do so:
- Go to the Docket Details page for our AIL docket (#OA-2008-0265) on Regulations.gov.
- Click the "Notification" icon found in the upper, right portion of your screen. Fill out the registration form that is presented to you.
- Step 2 of the form asks you to select the types of documents you are interested in. To ensure that you receive a notification every time a document is deposited in the docket, place a check mark in the boxes next to every document type (Rules, Proposed Rules, Notices, Public Submissions, Supporting & Related Materials, and Other).
- Once you have completed the form, click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form.
- You will receive an email with instructions for how to complete the registration process. Make sure you follow these instructions. You will not begin receiving notifications until you do.
Keep in mind that AILs do not post immediately. You can access a given month's list roughly 15 days after the close of the month (e.g., the April 2008 AIL will post sometime around May 15th).
What Does Each Column in an AIL Mean?
RIN
RIN stands for "Regulation Identifier Number." A RIN is assigned by the Regulatory Information Service Center, a component of the U.S. General Services Administration, to identify each regulatory action listed in our Semiannual Regulatory Agendas and Annual Regulatory Plans. Also, RINs are included in the headings of our rules when they are published in the Federal Register to make it easier for you to track our actions.
An example of an EPA RIN is 2050-AG37. It is composed of two parts. The first part (i.e., 2050) identifies which office within EPA is in charge of the action. In this case, it is the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. The second part (e.g., AG37) is an alpha-numeric code automatically generated as rules are assigned a RIN.
Title
Self-explanatory.
Stage
The stage of an action describes where we are in the rule writing process, from the very beginning when a rule (or other action) is just an idea to the end when it is published as a final rule (or other action) in the Federal Register. For example, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) stage announces a proposed rule or modification.
In the AILs, the following acronyms are used:
- ANPRM - Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- Direct Final - Direct Final Action
- NPRM - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- Supplemental - Supplemental NPRM
Contact
Self-explanatory.
Abstract
A brief summary of the action and its purpose.
Projected Publication Date
Since many variables affect how long it takes to write a rule or other action, it is impossible to predict a firm publication date when we have just started working on an action. Therefore, we insert one of two options in the "Projected Publication Date" column: 1) "12 months or less" and 2) "more than 12 months." These options give you some idea of how quickly we expect to complete an action. You may consult our Semiannual Regulatory Agenda every six months for updates to our estimates.
