81 FR 19110 - Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 64 (April 4, 2016)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 64 (April 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 19110-19111 | |
| FR Document | 2016-07646 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 19110-19111] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-07646] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management 43 CFR Parts 3100, 3160, and 3170 [15X.LLWO300000.L13100000.NB0000] RIN 1004-AE14 Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of public comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On February 8, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would reduce waste of natural gas from venting, flaring, and leaks during oil and natural gas production activities on onshore Federal and Indian leases. The proposed rule would also clarify when produced gas lost through venting, flaring, or leaks is subject to royalties, and when oil and gas production used on site would be royalty-free. The proposed rule would replace existing provisions related to venting, flaring, and royalty-free use of gas contained in the 1980 Notice to Lessees and Operators of Onshore Federal and Indian Oil and Gas Leases, Royalty or Compensation for Oil and Gas Lost (NTL-4A), which is over 3 decades old. Today's Federal Register Notice extends the public comment period for 14 days beyond the initial comment period deadline. DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on February 8, 2016 (81 FR 6616) is extended. Send your comments on this proposed rule to the BLM on or before April 22, 2016. The BLM need not consider, or include in the administrative record for the final rule, comments that the BLM receives after the close of the comment period or comments delivered to an address other than those listed below (see ADDRESSES). ADDRESSES: Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior, Director (630), Bureau of Land Management, Mail Stop 2134 LM, 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240, Attention: 1004-AE14. Personal or messenger delivery: Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134 LM, Attention: Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20003. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at this Web site. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Jones at the BLM Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood Ave., Moab, UT 84532, or by telephone at 435- 259-2117; or Timothy Spisak at the BLM Washington Office, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003, or by telephone at 202-912- 7311. For questions relating to regulatory process issues, please contact Faith Bremner, BLM Washington Office, at 202-912-7441. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individuals during normal business hours. FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to leave a message or question with the above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Comment Procedures If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments by any one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. Please make your comments as specific as possible by confining them to issues directly related to the content of the proposed rule, and explain the basis for your comments. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: 1. Those supported by quantitative information or studies; and 2. Those that include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations. The BLM is not obligated to consider or include in the Administrative Record for the rule comments received after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES). Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the address listed under ADDRESSES during regular hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information-- may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Background The proposed rule was published on February 8, 2016 (81 FR 6616), with a 60-day comment period closing on April 8, 2016. Since publication, the BLM has received requests to extend the comment period on the proposed rule, as well as requests not to extend the comment period. Commenters requesting an extension cited the technical nature and complexity of the proposed rule; its potential interaction with the BLM's proposals to update and replace oil and gas production measurement rules currently found in Onshore Orders 3, 4, and 5; and the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule to establish standards for control of emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from certain oil and gas production activities, which would be codified as 40 CFR part 60 subpart OOOOa. [[Page 19111]] Comments opposing an extension cited extensive pre-proposal activities to gather public input; the length of time already provided for public comments; what the commenters characterize as an urgent need to finalize updated rules to address ongoing losses of natural gas and royalty revenues; and the environmental impacts of venting and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on Federal and Indian lands. After considering these requests, the BLM has determined that it is appropriate to grant the requests to extend the comment period for a limited time. The BLM is hereby extending the comment period on the proposed rule for 14 days. The closing date of the extended comment period is April 22, 2016. Janice M. Schneider, Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2016-07646 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-84-P
![19110 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Proposed Rules
lack of objective measurements to SUMMARY: On February 8, 2016, the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
confirm the presence of peripheral Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Public Comment Procedures
neuropathy; and absence of control for published in the Federal Register a
key confounders other than the proposed rule that would reduce waste If you wish to comment, you may
comorbidities studied. Each of these of natural gas from venting, flaring, and submit your comments by any one of
limitations affect the strength of the leaks during oil and natural gas the methods listed in the ADDRESSES
study results, and thus the Wilkenfeld et production activities on onshore Federal section above. Please make your
al. study is not sufficient to provide the and Indian leases. The proposed rule comments as specific as possible by
Administrator with a potential basis for would also clarify when produced gas confining them to issues directly related
deciding whether to propose adding lost through venting, flaring, or leaks is to the content of the proposed rule, and
peripheral neuropathy to the List. subject to royalties, and when oil and explain the basis for your comments.
Due to the substantial limitations gas production used on site would be The comments and recommendations
inherent in the only available study, the royalty-free. The proposed rule would that will be most useful and likely to
Administrator has concluded that the replace existing provisions related to influence agency decisions are:
available evidence does not have the venting, flaring, and royalty-free use of 1. Those supported by quantitative
potential to provide a basis for a gas contained in the 1980 Notice to information or studies; and
decision on whether to add peripheral Lessees and Operators of Onshore 2. Those that include citations to, and
neuropathy to the List. Federal and Indian Oil and Gas Leases, analyses of, the applicable laws and
The findings described above led the Royalty or Compensation for Oil and regulations.
Administrator to determine that Gas Lost (NTL–4A), which is over 3 The BLM is not obligated to consider
insufficient evidence exists to take decades old. Today’s Federal Register or include in the Administrative Record
further action, including either Notice extends the public comment for the rule comments received after the
proposing the addition of peripheral period for 14 days beyond the initial close of the comment period (see DATES)
neuropathy to the List (pursuant to PHS comment period deadline. or comments delivered to an address
Act, sec. 3312(a)(6)(B)(ii) and 42 CFR DATES: The comment period for the
other than those listed above (see
ADDRESSES).
88.17(a)(2)(ii)) or publishing a proposed rule published on February 8,
Comments, including names and
determination not to publish a proposed 2016 (81 FR 6616) is extended. Send
street addresses of respondents, will be
rule in the Federal Register (pursuant to your comments on this proposed rule to
available for public review at the
PHS Act, sec. 3312(a)(6)(B)(iii) and 42 the BLM on or before April 22, 2016.
address listed under ADDRESSES during
CFR 88.17(a)(2)(iii)). The Administrator The BLM need not consider, or include
regular hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.),
has also determined that requesting a in the administrative record for the final
Monday through Friday, except
recommendation from the STAC rule, comments that the BLM receives
holidays.
(pursuant to PHS Act, sec. after the close of the comment period or Before including your address,
3312(a)(6)(B)(i) and 42 CFR comments delivered to an address other telephone number, email address, or
88.17(a)(2)(i)) is unwarranted. than those listed below (see ADDRESSES). other personal identifying information
For the reasons discussed above, the ADDRESSES: Mail: U.S. Department of in your comment, be advised that your
request made in Petition 010 to add the Interior, Director (630), Bureau of entire comment—including your
peripheral neuropathy to the List of Land Management, Mail Stop 2134 LM, personal identifying information—may
WTC-Related Health Conditions is 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240, be made publicly available at any time.
denied. Attention: 1004–AE14. Personal or While you can ask in your comment to
Dated: March 28, 2016. messenger delivery: Bureau of Land withhold from public review your
John Howard, Management, 20 M Street SE., Room personal identifying information, we
Administrator, World Trade Center Health
2134 LM, Attention: Regulatory Affairs, cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Program and Director, National Institute for Washington, DC 20003. Federal do so.
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for eRulemaking Portal: http://
Disease Control and Prevention, Department www.regulations.gov. Follow the Background
of Health and Human Services. instructions at this Web site. The proposed rule was published on
[FR Doc. 2016–07567 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric February 8, 2016 (81 FR 6616), with a
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P Jones at the BLM Moab Field Office, 82 60-day comment period closing on April
East Dogwood Ave., Moab, UT 84532, or 8, 2016. Since publication, the BLM has
by telephone at 435–259–2117; or received requests to extend the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Timothy Spisak at the BLM Washington comment period on the proposed rule,
Office, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, as well as requests not to extend the
Bureau of Land Management Washington, DC 20003, or by telephone comment period. Commenters
at 202–912–7311. For questions relating requesting an extension cited the
43 CFR Parts 3100, 3160, and 3170 to regulatory process issues, please technical nature and complexity of the
[15X.LLWO300000.L13100000.NB0000]
contact Faith Bremner, BLM proposed rule; its potential interaction
Washington Office, at 202–912–7441. with the BLM’s proposals to update and
RIN 1004–AE14 Persons who use a telecommunications replace oil and gas production
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the measurement rules currently found in
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Waste Prevention, Production Subject Federal Information Relay Service Onshore Orders 3, 4, and 5; and the
to Royalties, and Resource (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Conservation above individuals during normal proposed rule to establish standards for
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, business hours. FIRS is available 24 control of emissions of methane and
Interior. hours a day, 7 days a week to leave a volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
message or question with the above from certain oil and gas production
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of
individuals. You will receive a reply activities, which would be codified as
public comment period.
during normal business hours. 40 CFR part 60 subpart OOOOa.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:23 Apr 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\04APP1.SGM 04APP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_19174/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Proposed Rules 19111
Comments opposing an extension cited flaring of methane from oil and gas extended comment period is April 22,
extensive pre-proposal activities to operations on Federal and Indian lands. 2016.
gather public input; the length of time After considering these requests, the
Janice M. Schneider,
already provided for public comments; BLM has determined that it is
what the commenters characterize as an appropriate to grant the requests to Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals
Management.
urgent need to finalize updated rules to extend the comment period for a limited
address ongoing losses of natural gas time. The BLM is hereby extending the [FR Doc. 2016–07646 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am]
and royalty revenues; and the comment period on the proposed rule BILLING CODE 4310–84–P
environmental impacts of venting and for 14 days. The closing date of the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:23 Apr 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\04APP1.SGM 04APP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_19174/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2016-04-02 03:54:25
Document Modified: 2016-04-02 03:54:25
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule; extension of public comment period. | |
| Dates | The comment period for the proposed rule published on February 8, 2016 (81 FR 6616) is extended. Send your comments on this proposed rule to the BLM on or before April 22, 2016. The BLM need not consider, or include in the administrative record for the final rule, comments that the BLM receives after the close of the comment period or comments | |
| Contact | Eric Jones at the BLM Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood Ave., Moab, UT 84532, or by telephone at 435- 259-2117; or Timothy Spisak at the BLM Washington Office, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003, or by telephone at 202-912- 7311. For questions relating to regulatory process issues, please contact Faith Bremner, BLM Washington Office, at 202-912-7441. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individuals during normal business hours. FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to leave a message or question with the above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 19110 | |
| RIN Number | 1004-AE14 | |
| CFR Citation | 43
CFR
3100 43 CFR 3160 43 CFR 3170 |
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