Hazardous Materials in Intrastate Transportation; Extension of Comment Period

Passage 1[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 24904-24905] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-12454] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket No. HM-200; Notice No. 96-9] RIN 2137-AB37 Hazardous Materials in Intrastate Transportation; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: RSPA is extending for 60 days, until August 16, 1996, the period for submitting comments on its March 20, 1996 supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) in this proceeding. In the SNPRM, RSPA proposed certain exceptions from requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations that would otherwise apply to: the transportation of small quantities of certain hazardous materials used by carriers, particularly private carriers, in the conduct of their businesses (``materials of trade''); smaller cargo tank motor vehicles (less than 13,250 liters [3,500 gallons] capacity) used exclusively in intrastate transportation of flammable liquid petroleum products; and registered inspections of these smaller cargo tank motor vehicles used exclusively for transporting flammable liquid petroleum fuels. DATES: Written comments: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1996. ADDRESSES: Comments: Address comments to Dockets Unit, Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify the Docket (HM-200) and be submitted, if possible, in five copies. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their comments should include a self-addressed stamped postcard showing the docket number. The Dockets Unit is located in Room 8421 of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone: 202-366-5046. Public dockets may be reviewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Monday through Friday except Federal holidays.#

Passage 2FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Smith or Diane LaValle, 202-366-8553, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, RSPA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 1993, RSPA proposed to extend the application of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), 49 CFR Parts 171-180, to all intrastate carriers of hazardous materials in commerce and their shippers. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), was published on July 9, 1993 (58 FR 36920), and a correction was published on July 15, 1993 (58 FR 38111). Based on comments to that NPRM, on March 20, 1996, RSPA published a supplemental notice proposing three additional changes to the HMR. See 61 FR 11481. These changes would provide: (1) An exception for ``materials of trade,'' certain small quantities of hazardous materials transported and used by carriers, particularly private carriers, in the conduct of their businesses; (2) an exception to permit the continued use of non-specification smaller cargo tank motor vehicles (i.e., less than 13,250 liters [3,500 gallons] capacity) used exclusively in intrastate transportation of flammable liquid petroleum products; and (3) an exception from certain requirements that address registered inspection of these smaller cargo tank motor vehicles that are used exclusively for transporting flammable liquid petroleum fuels. These proposals are aimed are reducing regulatory burdens on persons subject to the HMR where costs may be disproportionate to safety benefits. A number of interested parties have requested additional time for them to more fully consider these proposals. Farmers, farm suppliers, and agricultural transporters state that they are presently occupied with activities relating to planting this year's crop, and that they need an extension of the comment period so that they may participate in this important rulemaking. Because these parties' input to this rulemaking would be valuable, RSPA is extending the comment period for 60 days, until August 16, 1996. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 14, 1996, under authority delegated in 49 CFR part 106, Appendix A. Alan I. Roberts, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. [FR Doc. 96-12454 Filed 5-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-M#