82_FR_2235 82 FR 2230 - Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties, Issuance of Compliance or Corrective Action Orders, and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits; Procedures for Decisionmaking

82 FR 2230 - Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties, Issuance of Compliance or Corrective Action Orders, and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits; Procedures for Decisionmaking

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 5 (January 9, 2017)

Page Range2230-2237
FR Document2016-31638

This final rule revises the Environmental Protection Agency's (``EPA'') Consolidated Rules of Practice governing the administrative assessment of civil penalties and various other administrative adjudicatory hearings. These revisions simplify the administrative processing of cases by removing inconsistencies, codifying electronic filing and service procedures, and streamlining the procedures in cases initiated at EPA Headquarters. This rule also corrects some punctuation typographical errors found in the Consolidated Rules of Practice. This rule similarly revises EPA's procedures governing decisionmaking in permit appeals. These amendments are procedural in nature and none of these changes are intended to substantively alter the Agency's administrative enforcement actions or review of permit appeals.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 5 (Monday, January 9, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2230-2237]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31638]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 22 and 124

[FRL-9956-53-OARM]


Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative 
Assessment of Civil Penalties, Issuance of Compliance or Corrective 
Action Orders, and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits; 
Procedures for Decisionmaking

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the Environmental Protection Agency's 
(``EPA'') Consolidated Rules of Practice governing the administrative 
assessment

[[Page 2231]]

of civil penalties and various other administrative adjudicatory 
hearings. These revisions simplify the administrative processing of 
cases by removing inconsistencies, codifying electronic filing and 
service procedures, and streamlining the procedures in cases initiated 
at EPA Headquarters. This rule also corrects some punctuation 
typographical errors found in the Consolidated Rules of Practice. This 
rule similarly revises EPA's procedures governing decisionmaking in 
permit appeals. These amendments are procedural in nature and none of 
these changes are intended to substantively alter the Agency's 
administrative enforcement actions or review of permit appeals.

DATES: This rule is effective on March 10, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael B. Wright, Office of 
Administrative Law Judges, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ronald 
Reagan Building, Room M1200, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20004, phone number (202) 564-3247 or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Why is the EPA issuing this rule in final form without first issuing 
a proposal?

    Today's final rule is limited to procedural requirements for 
administrative adjudicatory hearings and appeals from such hearings and 
from permit decisions. Under the Administrative Procedure Act, an 
agency may issue ``rules of agency organization, procedure, or 
practice'' without first proposing such rules for public comment. 5 
U.S.C. 553(b). Accordingly, public comment is not required.

II. Does this action apply to me?

    This action affects parties involved in EPA administrative 
adjudicatory proceedings for the assessment of civil penalties, 
issuance of various compliance orders, and termination or suspension of 
certain permits, under part 22 of title 40 of the CFR. See 40 CFR 22.1. 
This action also affects parties involved in appeal of EPA permits 
under part 124 of title 40 of the CFR.

III. Summary of Rule

A. Background: The EPA's Consolidated Rules of Practice in Part 22 and 
the EPA's Rules for Procedures for Decisionmaking on Permits in Part 
124

    Part 22 of Title 40 of the CFR establishes procedures governing 
administrative adjudicatory proceedings to assess administrative civil 
penalties, to issue various compliance orders, and to terminate or 
suspend certain permits. 40 CFR 22.1. These proceedings are conducted 
under a variety of environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act, 
the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, among others. Such cases 
are generally heard by the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) within the 
EPA's Office of Administrative Law Judges or Regional Judicial 
Officers. The part 22 regulations are titled the ``Consolidated Rules 
of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties, 
Issuance of Compliance or Corrective Action Orders, and the Revocation/
Termination or Suspension of Permits'' (``Rules of Practice'').
    The EPA promulgated the Rules of Practice to establish uniform 
procedural rules for administrative proceedings required to be held on 
the record after opportunity for a hearing in accordance with section 
554 of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq., see 40 
CFR part 22, subparts A-G, and administrative enforcement proceedings 
not governed by section 554, id. part 22, subpart I. Consolidated Rules 
of Practice, 45 FR 24360 (Apr. 9, 1980). The Rules of Practice also 
establish supplementary rules that recognize the unique procedural 
requirements of certain environmental statutes within the EPA's 
jurisdiction. See 40 CFR part 22, subpart H. Finally, the Rules of 
Practice establish procedures for appeals from decisions of the ALJs 
and Regional Judicial Officers to the Environmental Appeals Board. See 
id. part 22, subpart F.
    Part 124 of Title 40 of the CFR establishes rules governing the 
EPA's issuance, modification, and revocation of permits under the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Underground Injection 
Control program of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Prevention of 
Significant Deterioration program of the Clean Air Act, and the 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program of the Clean 
Water Act. These permit rules include procedures for appealing permit 
decisions by the EPA's regional offices to the Environmental Appeals 
Board. See 40 CFR 124.19.

B. Amendments to Part 22 Procedures

    This action makes several minor changes to part 22 procedures. Many 
of these changes pertain to the electronic filing and service of 
documents.
    Filing and service. The EPA has amended the filing and service 
requirements to clarify how these requirements apply to electronic 
transmission of documents and to otherwise clarify filing and service 
requirements and make them more consistent with similar requirements in 
part 124.
    Section 22.5(a) currently allows a Presiding Officer or the 
Environmental Appeals Board to ``authorize'' filing of documents by 
``facsimile or electronic filing.'' 40 CFR 22.5(a). The EPA is amending 
this section to also allow a Presiding Officer or the Environmental 
Appeals Board to ``require'' filing by ``facsimile or an electronic 
filing system.'' Both the Office of the Administrative Law Judges and 
the Environmental Appeals Board have an operational electronic filing 
system. This section is also being amended to standardize the 
Environmental Appeals Board filing methods under part 22 with those 
currently in the EPA's permit regulations in part 124.
    Section 22.5(b)(2) is modified to allow parties to agree with other 
parties to service by facsimile or other electronic means, including 
but not necessarily limited to email. A party's consent to such methods 
of service must be in writing and the party must file acknowledgement 
of such consent with the Clerk for the Presiding Officer or the 
Environmental Appeals Board, whichever is appropriate. This section is 
also modified to allow the Presiding Officer or the Environmental 
Appeals Board to authorize or require that the parties serve each other 
by facsimile or other electronic means, including but not necessarily 
limited to email. To facilitate electronic service, Sec.  22.5(b)(4) is 
modified to require that a party include an email address in the first 
document it files in a proceeding.
    The EPA emphasizes that the rules on electronic delivery of 
documents differ depending on whether the document is being filed with 
an EPA adjudicatory tribunal or served on a party to the proceeding. In 
the case of filing a document in an EPA administrative proceeding, the 
Presiding Officer or the Environmental Appeals Board has the sole 
authority to authorize or require electronic filing, and only these 
entities may authorize or require electronic filing by facsimile or an 
electronic filing system. As to service of documents between parties, 
not only may the Presiding Officer or the Environmental Appeals Board 
authorize or require service by either facsimile or other electronic 
means, including but not necessarily limited to email, but the parties 
may agree to such forms of electronic service.

[[Page 2232]]

    Additionally, the EPA is revising Sec.  22.5(b) to clarify that in 
cases before the Environmental Appeals Board, documents a party files 
with the Board need not also be served on the Board.
    Section 22.6 is amended to allow the Regional Hearing Clerk, the 
Headquarters Hearing Clerk, or the Clerk of the Environmental Appeals 
Board to serve rulings, orders, decisions, or other documents by 
electronic means (including but not necessarily limited to facsimile 
and email).
    Section 22.7(c) addresses when service is considered complete and 
includes a provision allowing an additional period of time for response 
to documents served using certain procedures. Id. Sec.  22.7(c). The 
EPA has amended this section to specify that when documents are served 
by facsimile or other electronic means, the service will be complete 
upon transmission. This approach is similar to that in Rule 5(b) of the 
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b).
    The EPA has also modified the so-called ``mailbox rule'' in Sec.  
22.7(c) providing for additional days to respond to documents served 
using certain procedures. As modified, the revised mailbox rule in 
Sec.  22.7(c) allows an additional three days to the time allowed for 
response to documents served by U.S. mail, the EPA's internal mail,\1\ 
or commercial delivery service. Three additional days are not allowed 
for a response when a document to be responded to is served by personal 
delivery or electronic means (e.g., facsimile or email). This change 
allows additional days where needed, but recognizes that extra days for 
delivery are not needed where same-day delivery is utilized. Further, 
this change makes part 22 consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure, including changes made to the Rules effective December 1, 
2016. Rule 6(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure currently 
grants an additional three days when service is effectuated by U.S. 
mail, an agreed-to delivery service, or an electronic means. However, 
an amendment to Rule 6(d) that was effective December 1, 2016, removes 
electronic service from the types of service to which the additional 
three-day rule applies. Order (S. Ct. Apr. 28, 2016). This change was 
based on the conclusion that electronic service has become sufficiently 
reliable method of providing instantaneous delivery. Fed. R. Civ. P. 
6(d) advisory committee's note to 2016 amendment.
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    \1\ EPA has specifically included ``EPA internal mail'' in this 
revision to the mailbox rule because the Environmental Appeals Board 
previously ruled that a prior version of this provision referencing 
``certified mail'' did not cover a document served by EPA internal 
mail. In re Outboard Marine Corp., 6 E.A.D. 194, 197 (EAB 1995).
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    Presiding officer prior to respondent filing answer. Generally, the 
Presiding Officer in part 22 proceedings is an Administrative Law Judge 
except for proceedings under subpart I, which are not governed by 
section 554 of the Administrative Procedure Act. See 40 CFR 22.3 
(definition of ``Presiding Officer'') & subpart I. Regional Judicial 
Officers are the Presiding Officer under subpart I proceedings. Id. 
Sec.  22.51. The Environmental Appeals Board hears appeals from 
interlocutory orders and initial decisions of a Presiding Officer. Id. 
Sec.  22.29-22.30.
    However, sections 22.4(a) and 22.16(c) currently specify, among 
other things, that the Environmental Appeals Board will act as 
Presiding Officer in proceedings under part 22 commenced at EPA 
Headquarters until the respondent files an answer. Id. Sec. Sec.  
22.4(a), 22.16(c). In such proceedings, an Administrative Law Judge 
replaces the Environmental Appeals Board as the Presiding Officer once 
an answer is filed. Id. Sec.  22.16(c).
    This rule amendment modifies Sec.  22.4(a) and Sec.  22.16(c) to 
authorize an Administrative Law Judge to serve as the Presiding Officer 
in part 22 proceedings commenced at EPA Headquarters from the time a 
complaint is filed. The Environmental Appeals Board will no longer be 
assigned as a Presiding Officer for the period between the filing of a 
complaint and the filing of an answer. Rather, an Administrative Law 
Judge will serve as the Presiding Officer both prior to and after the 
filing of the answer. Removing the Environmental Appeals Board from the 
initial stage of enforcement proceedings will enhance the efficiency of 
proceedings commenced at EPA Headquarters because a single entity will 
exercise the role of Presiding Officer. This also eliminates the 
possibility that the Environmental Appeals Board could be asked to 
review on appeal its own decision on a preliminary motion (filed before 
an answer is filed).
    Other changes. Section 22.28 addresses motions to reopen a hearing. 
This rule modifies Sec.  22.28 to clarify the effect of filing such a 
motion and to expand the section to apply to motions to set aside a 
default order. The revised language clarifies that the filing of a 
motion to reopen a hearing tolls not only the time by when an initial 
decision becomes final or by when an appeal of an initial decision to 
the Environmental Appeals Board must be filed but also the time by 
which the Board must decide whether it is going to exercise its 
authority to hear the case on its own initiative. The revised language 
also applies similar requirements to a motion to set aside a default 
order.
    Additionally, the EPA is making a series of changes to Sec.  22.30 
to clarify various issues relating to appeals to the Environmental 
Appeals Board. See id. Sec.  22.30. Section 22.30 is modified to (1) 
explain how attachments to a notice of appeal, appellate brief, or 
response brief should be identified (Sec.  22.30(a)(1)(iii) and (2)); 
(2) impose word/page limitations for briefs and motions (Sec.  
22.30(a)(3)); (3) provide more consistency between Sec.  
22.30(a)(1)(iii) and Sec.  124.19(a)(4)(ii) pertaining to the need for 
parties' briefs to contain specific citations or other appropriate 
references (e.g., by including the document name and page number) 
(Sec.  22.30(a)(1)(iii) and (2)); (4) clarify that when the Board 
initiates review of an initial decision, it will identify any issues to 
be briefed and a schedule for briefing in its initial order of its 
intent to review or in a subsequent order (Sec.  22.30(b)); (5) clarify 
that the Board may request oral argument on its own initiative, how a 
party must request oral argument, and that the Board may establish 
additional oral argument procedures by order (Sec.  22.30(d)); (6) make 
explicit that the Board may act on a motion without awaiting a response 
(Sec.  22.30(e)(2)); and (7) explain the procedure for parties to 
request an extension of time (Sec.  22.30(e)(3)).

C. Amendments to Part 124 Procedures

    Most of the revisions to part 124 also concern filing and service 
issues. Section 124.19(i) addresses filing and service requirements in 
permit appeal proceedings before the Environmental Appeals Board. This 
section has been modified to add language clarifying when service is 
complete. Specifically, service is complete upon mailing for U.S. mail 
and EPA internal mail, when placed in the custody of a reliable 
commercial deliver service, or upon transmission for facsimile or 
email. This new language is similar to that in Rule 5(b)(2) of the 
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Environmental Appeals Board 
decisions. Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2); see In re Beckman Prod. Servs., 5 
E.A.D. 10, 15 (EAB 1994) (``When the Region serves a final permit 
decision by mail, service occurs upon mailing.''). The EPA has revised 
the language in Sec.  124.19(i)(3) to clarify that parties may agree to 
electronic service by facsimile, email, or other electronic means. The 
EPA has also revised Sec.  124.19(i)(3) to require that parties that 
consent to

[[Page 2233]]

service by electronic means file acknowledgement of that consent with 
the Environmental Appeals Board.
    The EPA has also made several changes to part 124 on service and 
filing that duplicate the changes made to part 22: (1) Requiring that a 
party's first filing contain an email address (Sec.  124.19(i)(3)(i)); 
(2) authorizing the Environmental Appeals Board to require that parties 
file documents by facsimile or through use of the Board's electronic 
filing system (Sec.  124.19(i)(2)); (3) allowing the Environmental 
Appeals Board to authorize or require that the parties serve each other 
by facsimile or other electronic means, including email (Sec.  
124.19(i)(3)(ii)); and (4) authorizing the Board to serve rulings, 
orders, and decisions on the parties by electronic means (including but 
not necessarily limited to facsimile and email). (Sec.  
124.19(i)(3)(iii).
    Section 124.19(b)(1) and (2) are modified so that the deadlines for 
filing a response to a petition for review are based on the date the 
petition is served, rather than filed. This provides for appropriate 
notice of the petition for review in advance of the deadline for a 
response.
    Similar to the changes made in the mailbox rule in Sec.  22.7(c), 
discussed above, the EPA has modified Sec.  124.20(d) to specify that 
three days are added to a prescribed period of time to act when service 
is made by U.S. mail, the EPA's internal mail, or a reliable, 
commercial delivery service. Three days are not added to the prescribed 
time to act when service is made by personal delivery or electronic 
transmission (e.g., facsimile or email).
    The EPA has also added word/page limitations to Sec.  124.19(f) for 
motions mirroring the word/page limitations added to Sec.  22.30. 
Finally, the EPA has amended Sec.  124.19(a)(4)(ii) and (b) to further 
clarify that parties are to provide in their briefs appropriate 
reference to the administrative record (e.g., by including the document 
name and page number) as to each issue raised.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Orders 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and 13563: 
Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is exempt from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) because it is limited to agency organization, management, 
or personnel matters.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the PRA. This action will modify the EPA's procedural regulations 
governing administrative adjudicatory proceedings and appeals of 
adjudicatory proceedings and permit decisions to allow flexibility in 
the methods of serving and issuing documents and to promote efficiency 
in allocation of judicial resources. Specifically, the modifications to 
the Rules of Practice will codify the electronic service of documents 
between parties and by EPA adjudicative bodies. In addition, the 
modifications will facilitate the efficient issuance of rulings on 
motions by substituting an Administrative Law Judge for the 
Environmental Appeals Board to serve as the presiding officer in civil 
penalty cases initiated at EPA Headquarters before an answer is filed.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This action is not subject to the RFA. The RFA applies only to 
rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other statute. 
This rule pertains to agency management or personnel, which the APA 
expressly exempts from notice and comment rulemaking requirements under 
5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, 
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. This action will modify the EPA's procedural 
regulations governing administrative adjudicatory proceedings and 
appeals of adjudicatory proceedings and permit decisions to allow 
flexibility in the methods of serving and issuing documents and to 
promote efficiency in allocation of judicial resources. Thus, Executive 
Order 13175 does not apply to this action.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks 
that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect 
children, per the definition of ``covered regulatory action'' in 
section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to 
Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental 
health risk or safety risk.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act

    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    The EPA believes that this action does not have disproportionately 
high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority 
populations, low-income populations and/or indigenous peoples, as 
specified in Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). 
This action will modify the EPA's procedural regulations governing 
administrative adjudicatory proceedings and appeals of adjudicatory 
proceedings and permit decisions to allow flexibility in the methods of 
serving and issuing documents and to promote efficiency in allocation 
of judicial resources.

K. Congressional Review Act

    This rule is exempt from the CRA because it is a rule relating to 
agency management or personnel.

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 22

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Air pollution control, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, 
Penalties, Pesticides and pests, Poison prevention, Water pollution 
control.

40 CFR Part 124

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedures.


[[Page 2234]]


    Dated: December 20, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 40 CFR parts 22 and 124 
are amended as follows:

PART 22--CONSOLIDATED RULES OF PRACTICE GOVERNING THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE REVOCATION/
TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF PERMITS

0
1. The authority citation for part 22 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1361; 15 U.S.C. 2615; 33 U.S.C. 1319, 1342, 
1361, 1415 and 1418; 42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g), 6912, 6925, 6928, 6991e 
and 6992d; 42 U.S.C. 7413(d), 7524(c), 7545(d), 7547, 7601 and 
7607(a), 9609, and 11045.

Subpart A--General

0
2. In Sec.  22.4, revise the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  22.4  Powers and duties of the Environmental Appeals Board, 
Regional Judicial Officer and Presiding Officer; disqualification, 
withdrawal, and reassignment.

    (a) Environmental Appeals Board. (1) The Environmental Appeals 
Board rules on appeals from the initial decisions, rulings and orders 
of a Presiding Officer in proceedings under these Consolidated Rules of 
Practice, and approves settlement of proceedings under these 
Consolidated Rules of Practice commenced at EPA Headquarters. * * *
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  22.5, revise the section heading and paragraphs (a)(1), (b) 
introductory text, (b)(2), and (c)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  22.5   Filing, service by the parties, and form of all filed 
documents; business confidentiality claims.

    (a) Filing of documents. (1) The original and one copy of each 
document intended to be part of the record shall be filed with the 
Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate, when the 
proceeding is before the Presiding Officer, or filed with the Clerk of 
the Board when the proceeding is before the Environmental Appeals 
Board. A document is filed when it is received by the appropriate 
Clerk. When a document is required to be filed with the Environmental 
Appeals Board, the document shall be sent to the Clerk of the Board by 
U.S. Mail, delivered by hand or courier (including delivery by U.S. 
Express Mail or by a commercial delivery service), or transmitted by 
the Environmental Appeal Board's electronic filing system, according to 
the procedures specified in 40 CFR 124.19 (i)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii). 
The Presiding Officer or the Environmental Appeals Board may by order 
authorize or require filing by facsimile or an electronic filing 
system, subject to any appropriate conditions and limitations.
* * * * *
    (b) Service of documents. Unless the proceeding is before the 
Environmental Appeals Board, a copy of each document filed in the 
proceeding shall be served on the Presiding Officer and on each party. 
In a proceeding before the Environmental Appeals Board, a copy of each 
document filed in the proceeding shall be served on each party.
* * * * *
    (2) Service of filed documents other than the complaint, rulings, 
orders, and decisions. All documents filed by a party other than the 
complaint, rulings, orders, and decisions shall be served by the filing 
party on all other parties. Service may be made personally, by U.S. 
mail (including certified mail, return receipt requested, Overnight 
Express and Priority Mail), by any reliable commercial delivery 
service, or by facsimile or other electronic means, including but not 
necessarily limited to email, if service by such electronic means is 
consented to in writing. A party who consents to service by facsimile 
or email must file an acknowledgement of its consent (identifying the 
type of electronic means agreed to and the electronic address to be 
used) with the appropriate Clerk. In addition, the Presiding Officer or 
the Environmental Appeals Board may by order authorize or require 
service by facsimile, email, or other electronic means, subject to any 
appropriate conditions and limitations.
    (c) * * *
    (4) The first document filed by any person shall contain the name, 
mailing address, telephone number, and email address of an individual 
authorized to receive service relating to the proceeding on behalf of 
the person. Parties shall promptly file any changes in this information 
with the Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk or the Clerk of the 
Board, as appropriate, and serve copies on the Presiding Officer and 
all parties to the proceeding. If a party fails to furnish such 
information and any changes thereto, service to the party's last known 
address shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section and Sec.  22.6.
* * * * *

0
4. Revise Sec.  22.6 to read as follows:


Sec.  22.6  Filing and service of rulings, orders and decisions.

    All rulings, orders, decisions, and other documents issued by the 
Regional Administrator or Presiding Officer shall be filed with the 
Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate, in any manner 
allowed for the service of such documents. All rulings, orders, 
decisions, and other documents issued by the Environmental Appeals 
Board shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board. The Clerk of the 
Board, the Headquarters Hearing Clerk, or the Regional Hearing Clerk, 
as appropriate, must serve copies of such rulings, orders, decisions 
and other documents on all parties. Service may be made by U.S. mail 
(including by certified mail or return receipt requested, Overnight 
Express and Priority Mail), EPA's internal mail, any reliable 
commercial delivery service, or electronic means (including but not 
necessarily limited to facsimile and email).

0
5. In Sec.  22.7, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  22.7  Computation and extension of time.

* * * * *
    (c) Completion of service. Service of the complaint is complete 
when the return receipt is signed. Service of all other documents is 
complete upon mailing, when placed in the custody of a reliable 
commercial delivery service, or for facsimile or other electronic 
means, including but not necessarily limited to email, upon 
transmission. Where a document is served by U.S. mail, EPA internal 
mail, or commercial delivery service, including overnight or same-day 
delivery, 3 days shall be added to the time allowed by these 
Consolidated Rules of Practice for the filing of a responsive document. 
The time allowed for the serving of a responsive document is not 
expanded by 3 days when the served document is served by personal 
delivery, facsimile, or other electronic means, including but not 
necessarily limited to email.

Subpart C--Prehearing Procedures

0
6. In Sec.  22.16, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  22.16  Motions.

* * * * *
    (c) Decision. The Regional Judicial Officer (or in a proceeding 
commenced at EPA Headquarters, an Administrative Law Judge) shall rule 
on all motions filed or made before an answer to the complaint is 
filed. Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  22.29(c) and 22.51, an 
Administrative Law Judge shall rule on all motions filed or made after 
an answer is filed and

[[Page 2235]]

before an initial decision becomes final or has been appealed. The 
Environmental Appeals Board shall rule as provided in Sec.  22.29(c) 
and on all motions filed or made after an appeal of the initial 
decision is filed, except as provided pursuant to Sec.  22.28.
0
7. Revise the subpart E heading to read as follows:

Subpart E--Initial Decision, Motion To Reopen a Hearing, and Motion 
To Set Aside a Default Order

0
8. Revise Sec.  22.28 to read as follows:


Sec.  22.28   Motion to reopen a hearing or to set aside a default 
order.

    (a) Motion to reopen a hearing--(1) Filing and content. A motion to 
reopen a hearing to take further evidence must be filed no later than 
20 days after service of the initial decision and shall state the 
specific grounds upon which relief is sought. Where the movant seeks to 
introduce new evidence, the motion shall: State briefly the nature and 
purpose of the evidence to be adduced; show that such evidence is not 
cumulative; and show good cause why such evidence was not adduced at 
the hearing. The motion shall be made to the Presiding Officer and 
filed with the Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate. 
A copy of the motion shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board in the 
manner prescribed by Sec.  22.5(a)(1).
    (2) Disposition of motion to reopen a hearing. Within 15 days 
following the service of a motion to reopen a hearing, any other party 
to the proceeding may file with the Headquarters or Regional Hearing 
Clerk, as appropriate, and serve on all other parties a response. A 
reopened hearing shall be governed by the applicable sections of these 
Consolidated Rules of Practice. The timely filing of a motion to reopen 
a hearing shall automatically toll the running of the time periods for 
an initial decision becoming final under Sec.  22.27(c), for appeal 
under Sec.  22.30, and for the Environmental Appeals Board to elect to 
review the initial decision on its own initiative pursuant to Sec.  
22.30(b). These time periods begin again in full when the Presiding 
Officer serves an order denying the motion to reopen the hearing or an 
amended decision. The Presiding Officer may summarily deny subsequent 
motions to reopen a hearing filed by the same party if the Presiding 
Officer determines that the motion was filed to delay the finality of 
the decision.
    (b) Motion to set aside default order--(1) Filing and content. A 
motion to set aside a default order must be filed no later than 20 days 
after service of the initial decision and shall state the specific 
grounds upon which relief is sought. The motion shall be made to the 
Presiding Officer and filed with the Headquarters or Regional Hearing 
Clerk, as appropriate. A copy of the motion shall be filed with the 
Clerk of the Board in the manner prescribed by Sec.  22.5(a)(1).
    (2) Effect of motion to set aside default. The timely filing of a 
motion to set aside a default order automatically tolls the running of 
the time periods for an initial decision becoming final under Sec.  
22.27(c), for appeal under Sec.  22.30(a), and for the Environmental 
Appeals Board to elect to review the initial decision on its own 
initiative pursuant to Sec.  22.30(b). These time periods begin again 
in full when the Presiding Officer serves an order denying the motion 
to set aside or an amended decision. The Presiding Officer may 
summarily deny subsequent motions to set aside a default order filed by 
the same party if the Presiding Officer determines that the motion was 
filed to delay the finality of the decision.

Subpart F--Appeals and Administrative Review

0
9. In Sec.  22.30, revise paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  22.30  Appeal from or review of initial decision.

    (a) Notice of appeal and appeal brief--(1) Filing an appeal--(i) 
Filing deadline and who may appeal. Within 30 days after the initial 
decision is served, any party may file an appeal from any adverse order 
or ruling of the Presiding Officer.
    (ii) Filing requirements. Appellant must file a notice of appeal 
and an accompanying appellate brief with the Environmental Appeals 
Board as set forth in Sec.  22.5(a). One copy of any document filed 
with the Clerk of the Board shall also be served on the Headquarters or 
Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate. Appellant also shall serve a 
copy of the notice of appeal upon the Presiding Officer. Appellant 
shall simultaneously serve one copy of the notice and brief upon all 
other parties and non-party participants.
    (iii) Content. The notice of appeal shall summarize the order or 
ruling, or part thereof, appealed from. The appellant's brief shall 
contain tables of contents and authorities (with appropriate page 
references), a statement of the issues presented for review, a 
statement of the nature of the case and the facts relevant to the 
issues presented for review (with specific citation or other 
appropriate reference to the record (e.g., by including the document 
name and page number)), argument on the issues presented, a short 
conclusion stating the precise relief sought, alternative findings of 
fact, and alternative conclusions regarding issues of law or 
discretion. If any appellant includes attachments to its notice of 
appeal or appellate brief, the notice of appeal or appellate brief 
shall contain a table that provides the title of each appended document 
and assigns a label identifying where it may be found in the record.
    (iv) Multiple appeals. If a timely notice of appeal is filed by a 
party, any other party may file a notice of appeal and accompanying 
appellate brief on any issue within 20 days after the date on which the 
first notice of appeal was served or within the time to appeal in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, whichever period ends later.
    (2) Response brief. Within 20 days of service of notices of appeal 
and briefs under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, any other party or 
non-party participant may file with the Environmental Appeals Board an 
original and one copy of a response brief responding to arguments 
raised by the appellant, together with specific citation or other 
appropriate reference to the record, initial decision, and opposing 
brief (e.g., by including the document name and page number). Appellee 
shall simultaneously serve one copy of the response brief upon each 
party, non-party participant, and the Regional Hearing Clerk. Response 
briefs shall be limited to the scope of the appeal brief. If any 
responding party or non-party participant includes attachments to its 
response brief, the response brief shall contain a table that provides 
the title of each appended document and assigns a label identifying 
where it may be found in the record. Further briefs may be filed only 
with leave of the Environmental Appeals Board.
    (3) Length--(i) Briefs. Unless otherwise ordered by the 
Environmental Appeals Board, appellate and response briefs may not 
exceed 14,000 words, and all other briefs may not exceed 7000 words. 
Filers may rely on the word-processing system used to determine the 
word count. As an alternative to this word limitation, filers may 
comply with a 30-page limit for appellate and response briefs, or a 15-
page limit for replies. Headings, footnotes, and quotations count 
toward the word limitation. The table of contents, table of 
authorities, table of attachments (if any), statement requesting oral 
argument (if any), statement of compliance with the word limitation, 
and any attachments do not count toward the word or page-length 
limitation. The Environmental

[[Page 2236]]

Appeals Board may exclude any appeal, response, or other brief that 
does not meet word or page-length limitations. Where a party can 
demonstrate a compelling and documented need to exceed such 
limitations, such party must seek advance leave of the Environmental 
Appeals Board to file a longer brief. Such requests are discouraged and 
will be granted only in unusual circumstances.
    (ii) Motions. Unless otherwise ordered by the Environmental Appeals 
Board, motions and any responses or replies may not exceed 7000 words. 
Filers may rely on the word-processing system used to determine the 
word count. As an alternative to this word limitation, filers may 
comply with a 15-page limit. Headings, footnotes, and quotations count 
toward the word or page-length limitation. The Environmental Appeals 
Board may exclude any motion that does not meet word limitations. Where 
a party can demonstrate a compelling and documented need to exceed such 
limitations, such party must seek advance leave of the Environmental 
Appeals Board. Such requests are discouraged and will be granted only 
in unusual circumstances.
    (b) Review initiated by the Environmental Appeals Board. Whenever 
the Environmental Appeals Board determines to review an initial 
decision on its own initiative, it shall issue an order notifying the 
parties and the Presiding Officer of its intent to review that 
decision. The Clerk of the Board shall serve the order upon the 
Regional Hearing Clerk, the Presiding Officer, and the parties within 
45 days after the initial decision was served upon the parties. In that 
order or in a later order, the Environmental Appeals Board shall 
identify any issues to be briefed by the parties and establish a time 
schedule for filing and service of briefs.
    (c) Scope of appeal or review. The parties' rights of appeal shall 
be limited to those issues raised during the course of the proceeding 
and by the initial decision, and to issues concerning subject matter 
jurisdiction. If the Environmental Appeals Board determines that issues 
raised, but not appealed by the parties, should be argued, it shall 
give the parties written notice of such determination to allow 
preparation of adequate argument. The Environmental Appeals Board may 
remand the case to the Presiding Officer for further proceedings.
    (d) Argument before the Environmental Appeals Board. The 
Environmental Appeals Board may, at its discretion in response to a 
request or on its own initiative, order oral argument on any or all 
issues in a proceeding. To request oral argument, a party must include 
in its substantive brief a statement explaining why oral argument is 
necessary. The Environmental Appeals Board may, by order, establish 
additional procedures governing any oral argument before the 
Environmental Appeals Board.
    (e) Motions on appeal--(1) General. All motions made during the 
course of an appeal shall conform to Sec.  22.16 unless otherwise 
provided. In advance of filing a motion, parties must attempt to 
ascertain whether the other party(ies) concur(s) or object(s) to the 
motion and must indicate in the motion the attempt made and the 
response obtained.
    (2) Disposition of a motion for a procedural order. The 
Environmental Appeals Board may act on a motion for a procedural order 
at any time without awaiting a response.
    (3) Timing on motions for extension of time. Parties must file 
motions for extensions of time sufficiently in advance of the due date 
to allow other parties to have a reasonable opportunity to respond to 
the request for more time and to provide the Environmental Appeals 
Board with a reasonable opportunity to issue an order.
* * * * *

PART 124--PROCEDURES FOR DECISIONMAKING

0
10. The authority citation for part 124 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 
6901 et seq.; Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; Clean 
Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et 
seq.

Subpart A--General Program Requirements

0
11. In Sec.  124.19:
0
a. Revise the first sentence of paragraph (a)(4)(ii), and paragraph 
(b).
0
b. Redesignate paragraph (f)(5) as paragraph (f)(6).
0
c. Add a new paragraph (f)(5).
0
d. Revise paragraphs (i) introductory text, (i)(2) introductory text, 
and (3).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  124.19  Appeal of RCRA, UIC, NPDES and PSD Permits.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (ii) Petitioners must demonstrate, by providing specific citation 
or other appropriate reference to the administrative record (e.g., by 
including the document name and page number), that each issue being 
raised in the petition was raised during the public comment period 
(including any public hearing) to the extent required by Sec.  124.13. 
* * *
    (b) Response(s) to a petition for review. (1) In a PSD or other new 
source permit appeal, the Regional Administrator must file a response 
to the petition for review, a certified index of the administrative 
record, and the relevant portions of the administrative record within 
21 days after the service of the petition. The response brief must 
respond to arguments raised by the appellant, together with specific 
citation or other appropriate reference to the record (e.g., by 
including the document name and page number).
    (2) In all other permit appeals under this section, the Regional 
Administrator must file a response to the petition, a certified index 
of the administrative record, and the relevant portions of the 
administrative record within 30 days after the service of a petition.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (5) Length. Unless otherwise ordered by the Environmental Appeals 
Board, motions and any responses or replies may not exceed 7000 words. 
Filers may rely on the word-processing system used to determine the 
word count. In lieu of a word limitation, filers may comply with a 15-
page limit. Headings, footnotes, and quotations count toward the word 
or page-length limitation. The Environmental Appeals Board may exclude 
any motion that does not meet word limitations. Where a party can 
demonstrate a compelling and documented need to exceed such 
limitations, such party must seek advance leave of the Environmental 
Appeals Board. Such requests are discouraged and will be granted only 
in unusual circumstances.
* * * * *
    (i) Filing and service requirements. Documents filed under this 
section, including the petition for review, must be filed with the 
Clerk of the Environmental Appeals Board. A document is filed when it 
is received by the Clerk of the Environmental Appeals Board at the 
address specified for the appropriate method of delivery as provided in 
paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Service of a document between parties 
to an appeal or by the Environmental Appeals Board on a party is 
complete upon mailing for U.S. mail or EPA internal mail, when placed 
in the custody of a reliable commercial delivery service, or upon 
transmission for facsimile or email.
* * * * *
    (2) Method of filing. Unless otherwise permitted under these rules, 
documents

[[Page 2237]]

must be filed either by using the Environmental Appeals Board's 
electronic filing system, by U.S. mail, or by hand delivery. In 
addition, a motion or a response to a motion may be submitted by 
facsimile if the submission contains no attachments. Upon filing a 
motion or response to a motion by facsimile, the sender must, within 
one business day, submit the original copy to the Clerk of the 
Environmental Appeals Board either electronically, by mail, or by hand-
delivery. The Environmental Appeals Board may by order require filing 
by facsimile or the Board's electronic filing system, subject to any 
appropriate conditions and limitations.
* * * * *
    (3) Service--(i) Service information. The first document filed by 
any person shall contain the name, mailing address, telephone number, 
and email address of an individual authorized to receive service 
relating to the proceeding. Parties shall promptly file any changes in 
this information with the Clerk of the Environmental Appeals Board, and 
serve copies on all parties to the proceeding. If a party fails to 
furnish such information and any changes thereto, service to the 
party's last known address shall satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(i)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Service requirements for parties. Petitioner must serve the 
petition for review on the Regional Administrator and the permit 
applicant (if the applicant is not the petitioner). Once an appeal is 
docketed, every document filed with the Environmental Appeals Board 
must be served on all other parties. Service must be by first class 
U.S. mail, by any reliable commercial delivery service, or, if agreed 
to by the parties, by facsimile or other electronic means, including 
but not necessarily limited to or email. A party who consents to 
service by facsimile or other electronic means must file an 
acknowledgement of its consent (identifying the type of electronic 
means agreed to and the electronic address to be used) with the Clerk 
of the Environmental Appeals Board. The Environmental Appeals Board may 
by order authorize or require service by facsimile, email, or other 
electronic means, subject to any appropriate conditions and 
limitations.
    (iii) Service of rulings, orders, and decisions. The Clerk of the 
Environmental Appeals Board must serve copies of rulings, orders, and 
decisions on all parties. Service may be made by U.S. mail (including 
by certified mail or return receipt requested, Overnight Express and 
Priority Mail), EPA's internal mail, any reliable commercial delivery 
service, or electronic means (including but not necessarily limited to 
facsimile and email).
* * * * *

0
12. In Sec.  124.20, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  124.20  Computation of time.

* * * * *
    (d) When a party or interested person may or must act within a 
prescribed period after being served and service is made by U.S. mail, 
EPA's internal mail, or reliable commercial delivery service, 3 days 
shall be added to the prescribed time. The prescribed period for acting 
after being served is not expanded by 3 days when service is made by 
personal delivery, facsimile, or email.

[FR Doc. 2016-31638 Filed 1-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                              2230                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                              Division, U.S. Department of Labor, and                    (d) Any person may report a violation                insurance program providing health
                                              includes any official of the Wage and                    of the Act or these regulations to the                 coverage under which employees
                                              Hour Division who is authorized by the                   Secretary by advising any local office of              purchase individual policies from
                                              Administrator to perform any of the                      the Wage and Hour Division, U.S.                       insurers provided that:
                                              functions of the Administrator under                     Department of Labor, or any authorized                   (1) No contributions are made by the
                                              this part.                                               representative of the Administrator. The               employer;
                                              *     *    *     *     *                                 office or person receiving such a report                 (2) Participation in the program is
                                                                                                       shall refer it to the appropriate office of            completely voluntary for employees;
                                              PART 580—CIVIL MONEY                                     the Wage and Hour Division for the                       (3) The sole functions of the employer
                                              PENALTIES—PROCEDURES FOR                                 region or area in which the reported                   with respect to the program are, without
                                              ASSESSING AND CONTESTING                                 violation is alleged to have occurred.                 endorsing the program, to permit the
                                              PENALTIES                                                *     *      *     *     *                             insurer to publicize the program to
                                                                                                       ■ 79. In § 801.30, revise the                          employees, to collect premiums through
                                              ■  74. The authority citation for part 580                                                                      payroll deductions and to remit them to
                                              is revised to read as follows:                           parenthetical at the end of section to
                                                                                                       read as follows:                                       the insurer;
                                                Authority: 29 U.S.C. 9a, 203, 209, 211,                                                                         (4) The employer receives no
                                              212, 213(c), 216; Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1950,             § 801.30    Records to be preserved for 3              consideration in the form of cash or
                                              64 Stat. 1263, 5 U.S.C. App; secs. 25, 29, 88            years.                                                 otherwise in connection with the
                                              Stat. 72, 76; Secretary’s Order 01–2014 (Dec.                                                                   program, other than reasonable
                                                                                                       *      *      *       *      *
                                              19, 2014), 79 FR 77527 (Dec. 24, 2014); 5
                                                                                                       (Approved by the Office of Management and
                                                                                                                                                              compensation, excluding any profit, for
                                              U.S.C. 500, 503, 551, 559; 103 Stat. 938.
                                                                                                       Budget under control number 1235–0005.)                administrative services actually
                                              ■ 75. In § 580.1, revise the definition of                                                                      rendered in connection with payroll
                                              ‘‘Administrator’’ to read as follows:                                                                           deduction; and,
                                                                                                       PART 825—THE FAMILY AND
                                              § 580.1    Definitions.                                  MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993                                (5) The premium charged with respect
                                              *     *     *    *     *                                                                                        to such coverage does not increase in
                                                                                                       ■ 80. The authority citation for part 525              the event the employment relationship
                                                Administrator means the                                continues to read as follows:
                                              Administrator of the Wage and Hour                                                                              terminates.
                                              Division, U.S. Department of Labor, and                    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 2654; 28 U.S.C. 2461            *     *     *     *     *
                                                                                                       Note (Federal Civil Penalties Inflation                ■ 83. In § 825.401, revise paragraph (a)
                                              includes any official of the Wage and
                                                                                                       Adjustment Act of 1990); and Pub. L. 114–              to read as follows:
                                              Hour Division authorized by the                          74 at § 701.
                                              Administrator to perform any of the                                                                             § 825.401 Filing a complaint with the
                                                                                                       ■ 81. In § 825.104, revise paragraph (b)
                                              functions of the Administrator under                                                                            Federal Government.
                                                                                                       to read as follows:
                                              this part and parts 578 and 579 of this                                                                            (a) A complaint may be filed in
                                              chapter.                                                 § 825.104    Covered employer.                         person, by mail or by telephone, with
                                              *      *      *       *      *                           *      *      *     *    *                             the Wage and Hour Division, U.S.
                                                                                                          (b) The terms commerce and industry                 Department of Labor. A complaint may
                                              PART 801—APPLICATION OF THE                              affecting commerce are defined in                      be filed at any local office of the Wage
                                              EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH                                       accordance with section 501(1) and (3)                 and Hour Division; the address and
                                              PROTECTION ACT OF 1988                                   of the Labor Management Relations Act                  telephone number of local offices may
                                                                                                       of 1947 (LMRA) (29 U.S.C. 142(1) and                   be found in telephone directories or on
                                              ■ 76. The authority citation for part 801                (3)), as set forth in the definitions at               the Department’s Web site.
                                              continues to read as follows:                            § 825.102 of this part. For purposes of                *      *     *    *     *
                                                Authority: Pub. L. 100–347, 102 Stat. 646,             the FMLA, employers who meet the 50-                   [FR Doc. 2016–31293 Filed 1–6–17; 8:45 am]
                                              29 U.S.C. 2001–2009; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note                 employee coverage test are deemed to be                BILLING CODE 4510–27–P
                                              (Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment            engaged in commerce or in an industry
                                              Act of 1990); Pub. L. 114–74 at § 701, 129
                                              Stat. 584.
                                                                                                       or activity affecting commerce.
                                              ■ 77. In § 801.2:                                        *      *      *     *    *                             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                              ■ a. Remove paragraph (h);                               ■ 82. In § 825.209, revise paragraph (a)               AGENCY
                                              ■ b. Redesignate paragraphs (i) and (j) as               to read as follows:
                                              paragraphs (h) and (i), respectively; and                                                                       40 CFR Parts 22 and 124
                                                                                                       § 825.209    Maintenance of employee
                                              ■ c. Revise newly redesignated                           benefits.                                              [FRL–9956–53–OARM]
                                              paragraph (h).
                                                The revision reads as follows:                           (a) During any FMLA leave, an
                                                                                                       employer must maintain the employee’s                  Consolidated Rules of Practice
                                              § 801.2    Definitions.                                  coverage under any group health plan                   Governing the Administrative
                                                                                                       (as defined in the Internal Revenue                    Assessment of Civil Penalties,
                                              *     *     *      *    *                                                                                       Issuance of Compliance or Corrective
                                                (h) Wage and Hour Division means                       Code of 1986 at 26 U.S.C. 5000(b)(1) on
                                                                                                       the same conditions as coverage would                  Action Orders, and the Revocation/
                                              the organizational unit of the
                                                                                                       have been provided if the employee had                 Termination or Suspension of Permits;
                                              Department of Labor to which is
                                                                                                       been continuously employed during the                  Procedures for Decisionmaking
                                              assigned primary responsibility for
                                              enforcement and administration of the                    entire leave period. All employers                     AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
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                                              Act.                                                     covered by FMLA, including public                      Agency (EPA).
                                              *     *     *      *    *                                agencies, are subject to the Act’s                     ACTION: Final rule.
                                              ■ 78. In § 801.7, revise paragraph (d) to                requirements to maintain health
                                              read as follows:                                         coverage. The definition of group health               SUMMARY:   This final rule revises the
                                                                                                       plan is set forth in § 825.102. For                    Environmental Protection Agency’s
                                              § 801.7    Authority of the Secretary.                   purposes of FMLA, the term group                       (‘‘EPA’’) Consolidated Rules of Practice
                                              *      *      *       *      *                           health plan shall not include an                       governing the administrative assessment


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:50 Jan 06, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00038   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\09JAR1.SGM   09JAR1


                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                            2231

                                              of civil penalties and various other                    to assess administrative civil penalties,              requirements to clarify how these
                                              administrative adjudicatory hearings.                   to issue various compliance orders, and                requirements apply to electronic
                                              These revisions simplify the                            to terminate or suspend certain permits.               transmission of documents and to
                                              administrative processing of cases by                   40 CFR 22.1. These proceedings are                     otherwise clarify filing and service
                                              removing inconsistencies, codifying                     conducted under a variety of                           requirements and make them more
                                              electronic filing and service procedures,               environmental statutes, including the                  consistent with similar requirements in
                                              and streamlining the procedures in                      Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the                part 124.
                                              cases initiated at EPA Headquarters.                    Solid Waste Disposal Act, and the                         Section 22.5(a) currently allows a
                                              This rule also corrects some                            Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and                    Presiding Officer or the Environmental
                                              punctuation typographical errors found                  Rodenticide Act, among others. Such                    Appeals Board to ‘‘authorize’’ filing of
                                              in the Consolidated Rules of Practice.                  cases are generally heard by the                       documents by ‘‘facsimile or electronic
                                              This rule similarly revises EPA’s                       Administrative Law Judges (ALJs)                       filing.’’ 40 CFR 22.5(a). The EPA is
                                              procedures governing decisionmaking                     within the EPA’s Office of                             amending this section to also allow a
                                              in permit appeals. These amendments                     Administrative Law Judges or Regional                  Presiding Officer or the Environmental
                                              are procedural in nature and none of                    Judicial Officers. The part 22 regulations             Appeals Board to ‘‘require’’ filing by
                                              these changes are intended to                           are titled the ‘‘Consolidated Rules of                 ‘‘facsimile or an electronic filing
                                              substantively alter the Agency’s                        Practice Governing the Administrative                  system.’’ Both the Office of the
                                              administrative enforcement actions or                   Assessment of Civil Penalties, Issuance                Administrative Law Judges and the
                                              review of permit appeals.                               of Compliance or Corrective Action                     Environmental Appeals Board have an
                                              DATES: This rule is effective on March                  Orders, and the Revocation/Termination                 operational electronic filing system.
                                              10, 2017.                                               or Suspension of Permits’’ (‘‘Rules of                 This section is also being amended to
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                      Practice’’).                                           standardize the Environmental Appeals
                                                                                                         The EPA promulgated the Rules of                    Board filing methods under part 22 with
                                              Michael B. Wright, Office of
                                                                                                      Practice to establish uniform procedural               those currently in the EPA’s permit
                                              Administrative Law Judges, U.S.
                                                                                                      rules for administrative proceedings                   regulations in part 124.
                                              Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                                                                      required to be held on the record after
                                              Ronald Reagan Building, Room M1200,                                                                               Section 22.5(b)(2) is modified to allow
                                                                                                      opportunity for a hearing in accordance
                                              1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,                                                                                    parties to agree with other parties to
                                                                                                      with section 554 of the Administrative
                                              Washington, DC 20004, phone number                                                                             service by facsimile or other electronic
                                                                                                      Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq., see
                                              (202) 564–3247 or by email at                                                                                  means, including but not necessarily
                                                                                                      40 CFR part 22, subparts A–G, and
                                              wright.michaelb@epa.gov.                                                                                       limited to email. A party’s consent to
                                                                                                      administrative enforcement proceedings
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                                                                     such methods of service must be in
                                                                                                      not governed by section 554, id. part 22,
                                                                                                                                                             writing and the party must file
                                              I. Why is the EPA issuing this rule in                  subpart I. Consolidated Rules of
                                                                                                                                                             acknowledgement of such consent with
                                              final form without first issuing a                      Practice, 45 FR 24360 (Apr. 9, 1980).
                                                                                                                                                             the Clerk for the Presiding Officer or the
                                              proposal?                                               The Rules of Practice also establish
                                                                                                      supplementary rules that recognize the                 Environmental Appeals Board,
                                                 Today’s final rule is limited to                     unique procedural requirements of                      whichever is appropriate. This section
                                              procedural requirements for                             certain environmental statutes within                  is also modified to allow the Presiding
                                              administrative adjudicatory hearings                    the EPA’s jurisdiction. See 40 CFR part                Officer or the Environmental Appeals
                                              and appeals from such hearings and                      22, subpart H. Finally, the Rules of                   Board to authorize or require that the
                                              from permit decisions. Under the                        Practice establish procedures for                      parties serve each other by facsimile or
                                              Administrative Procedure Act, an                        appeals from decisions of the ALJs and                 other electronic means, including but
                                              agency may issue ‘‘rules of agency                      Regional Judicial Officers to the                      not necessarily limited to email. To
                                              organization, procedure, or practice’’                  Environmental Appeals Board. See id.                   facilitate electronic service, § 22.5(b)(4)
                                              without first proposing such rules for                  part 22, subpart F.                                    is modified to require that a party
                                              public comment. 5 U.S.C. 553(b).                           Part 124 of Title 40 of the CFR                     include an email address in the first
                                              Accordingly, public comment is not                      establishes rules governing the EPA’s                  document it files in a proceeding.
                                              required.                                               issuance, modification, and revocation                    The EPA emphasizes that the rules on
                                              II. Does this action apply to me?                       of permits under the Resource                          electronic delivery of documents differ
                                                                                                      Conservation and Recovery Act, the                     depending on whether the document is
                                                 This action affects parties involved in                                                                     being filed with an EPA adjudicatory
                                              EPA administrative adjudicatory                         Underground Injection Control program
                                                                                                      of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the                    tribunal or served on a party to the
                                              proceedings for the assessment of civil                                                                        proceeding. In the case of filing a
                                              penalties, issuance of various                          Prevention of Significant Deterioration
                                                                                                      program of the Clean Air Act, and the                  document in an EPA administrative
                                              compliance orders, and termination or                                                                          proceeding, the Presiding Officer or the
                                              suspension of certain permits, under                    National Pollutant Discharge
                                                                                                      Elimination System program of the                      Environmental Appeals Board has the
                                              part 22 of title 40 of the CFR. See 40                                                                         sole authority to authorize or require
                                              CFR 22.1. This action also affects parties              Clean Water Act. These permit rules
                                                                                                      include procedures for appealing permit                electronic filing, and only these entities
                                              involved in appeal of EPA permits                                                                              may authorize or require electronic
                                              under part 124 of title 40 of the CFR.                  decisions by the EPA’s regional offices
                                                                                                      to the Environmental Appeals Board.                    filing by facsimile or an electronic filing
                                              III. Summary of Rule                                    See 40 CFR 124.19.                                     system. As to service of documents
                                                                                                                                                             between parties, not only may the
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                                              A. Background: The EPA’s Consolidated                   B. Amendments to Part 22 Procedures                    Presiding Officer or the Environmental
                                              Rules of Practice in Part 22 and the                       This action makes several minor                     Appeals Board authorize or require
                                              EPA’s Rules for Procedures for                          changes to part 22 procedures. Many of                 service by either facsimile or other
                                              Decisionmaking on Permits in Part 124                   these changes pertain to the electronic                electronic means, including but not
                                                Part 22 of Title 40 of the CFR                        filing and service of documents.                       necessarily limited to email, but the
                                              establishes procedures governing                           Filing and service. The EPA has                     parties may agree to such forms of
                                              administrative adjudicatory proceedings                 amended the filing and service                         electronic service.


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                                              2232                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                 Additionally, the EPA is revising                    providing instantaneous delivery. Fed.                 Board must decide whether it is going
                                              § 22.5(b) to clarify that in cases before               R. Civ. P. 6(d) advisory committee’s note              to exercise its authority to hear the case
                                              the Environmental Appeals Board,                        to 2016 amendment.                                     on its own initiative. The revised
                                              documents a party files with the Board                     Presiding officer prior to respondent               language also applies similar
                                              need not also be served on the Board.                   filing answer. Generally, the Presiding                requirements to a motion to set aside a
                                                 Section 22.6 is amended to allow the                 Officer in part 22 proceedings is an                   default order.
                                              Regional Hearing Clerk, the                             Administrative Law Judge except for                       Additionally, the EPA is making a
                                              Headquarters Hearing Clerk, or the Clerk                proceedings under subpart I, which are                 series of changes to § 22.30 to clarify
                                              of the Environmental Appeals Board to                   not governed by section 554 of the                     various issues relating to appeals to the
                                              serve rulings, orders, decisions, or other              Administrative Procedure Act. See 40                   Environmental Appeals Board. See id.
                                              documents by electronic means                           CFR 22.3 (definition of ‘‘Presiding                    § 22.30. Section 22.30 is modified to (1)
                                              (including but not necessarily limited to               Officer’’) & subpart I. Regional Judicial              explain how attachments to a notice of
                                              facsimile and email).                                   Officers are the Presiding Officer under               appeal, appellate brief, or response brief
                                                 Section 22.7(c) addresses when                       subpart I proceedings. Id. § 22.51. The                should be identified (§ 22.30(a)(1)(iii)
                                              service is considered complete and                      Environmental Appeals Board hears                      and (2)); (2) impose word/page
                                              includes a provision allowing an                        appeals from interlocutory orders and                  limitations for briefs and motions
                                              additional period of time for response to               initial decisions of a Presiding Officer.              (§ 22.30(a)(3)); (3) provide more
                                              documents served using certain                          Id. § 22.29–22.30.                                     consistency between § 22.30(a)(1)(iii)
                                              procedures. Id. § 22.7(c). The EPA has                     However, sections 22.4(a) and                       and § 124.19(a)(4)(ii) pertaining to the
                                              amended this section to specify that                    22.16(c) currently specify, among other                need for parties’ briefs to contain
                                              when documents are served by facsimile                  things, that the Environmental Appeals                 specific citations or other appropriate
                                              or other electronic means, the service                  Board will act as Presiding Officer in                 references (e.g., by including the
                                              will be complete upon transmission.                     proceedings under part 22 commenced                    document name and page number)
                                              This approach is similar to that in Rule                at EPA Headquarters until the                          (§ 22.30(a)(1)(iii) and (2)); (4) clarify that
                                              5(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil                      respondent files an answer. Id.                        when the Board initiates review of an
                                              Procedure. Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b).                        §§ 22.4(a), 22.16(c). In such proceedings,             initial decision, it will identify any
                                                 The EPA has also modified the so-                    an Administrative Law Judge replaces                   issues to be briefed and a schedule for
                                              called ‘‘mailbox rule’’ in § 22.7(c)                    the Environmental Appeals Board as the                 briefing in its initial order of its intent
                                              providing for additional days to respond                Presiding Officer once an answer is                    to review or in a subsequent order
                                              to documents served using certain                       filed. Id. § 22.16(c).                                 (§ 22.30(b)); (5) clarify that the Board
                                              procedures. As modified, the revised                       This rule amendment modifies                        may request oral argument on its own
                                              mailbox rule in § 22.7(c) allows an                     § 22.4(a) and § 22.16(c) to authorize an               initiative, how a party must request oral
                                              additional three days to the time                       Administrative Law Judge to serve as                   argument, and that the Board may
                                              allowed for response to documents                       the Presiding Officer in part 22                       establish additional oral argument
                                              served by U.S. mail, the EPA’s internal                 proceedings commenced at EPA                           procedures by order (§ 22.30(d)); (6)
                                              mail,1 or commercial delivery service.                  Headquarters from the time a complaint                 make explicit that the Board may act on
                                              Three additional days are not allowed                   is filed. The Environmental Appeals                    a motion without awaiting a response
                                              for a response when a document to be                    Board will no longer be assigned as a                  (§ 22.30(e)(2)); and (7) explain the
                                              responded to is served by personal                      Presiding Officer for the period between               procedure for parties to request an
                                              delivery or electronic means (e.g.,                     the filing of a complaint and the filing               extension of time (§ 22.30(e)(3)).
                                              facsimile or email). This change allows                 of an answer. Rather, an Administrative
                                              additional days where needed, but                       Law Judge will serve as the Presiding                  C. Amendments to Part 124 Procedures
                                              recognizes that extra days for delivery                 Officer both prior to and after the filing                Most of the revisions to part 124 also
                                              are not needed where same-day delivery                  of the answer. Removing the                            concern filing and service issues.
                                              is utilized. Further, this change makes                 Environmental Appeals Board from the                   Section 124.19(i) addresses filing and
                                              part 22 consistent with the Federal                     initial stage of enforcement proceedings               service requirements in permit appeal
                                              Rules of Civil Procedure, including                     will enhance the efficiency of                         proceedings before the Environmental
                                              changes made to the Rules effective                     proceedings commenced at EPA                           Appeals Board. This section has been
                                              December 1, 2016. Rule 6(d) of the                      Headquarters because a single entity                   modified to add language clarifying
                                              Federal Rules of Civil Procedure                        will exercise the role of Presiding                    when service is complete. Specifically,
                                              currently grants an additional three days               Officer. This also eliminates the                      service is complete upon mailing for
                                              when service is effectuated by U.S. mail,               possibility that the Environmental                     U.S. mail and EPA internal mail, when
                                              an agreed-to delivery service, or an                    Appeals Board could be asked to review                 placed in the custody of a reliable
                                              electronic means. However, an                           on appeal its own decision on a                        commercial deliver service, or upon
                                              amendment to Rule 6(d) that was                         preliminary motion (filed before an                    transmission for facsimile or email. This
                                              effective December 1, 2016, removes                     answer is filed).                                      new language is similar to that in Rule
                                              electronic service from the types of                       Other changes. Section 22.28                        5(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil
                                              service to which the additional three-                  addresses motions to reopen a hearing.                 Procedure and Environmental Appeals
                                              day rule applies. Order (S. Ct. Apr. 28,                This rule modifies § 22.28 to clarify the              Board decisions. Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2);
                                              2016). This change was based on the                     effect of filing such a motion and to                  see In re Beckman Prod. Servs., 5 E.A.D.
                                              conclusion that electronic service has                  expand the section to apply to motions                 10, 15 (EAB 1994) (‘‘When the Region
                                              become sufficiently reliable method of                  to set aside a default order. The revised              serves a final permit decision by mail,
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                                                                                                      language clarifies that the filing of a                service occurs upon mailing.’’). The
                                                 1 EPA has specifically included ‘‘EPA internal       motion to reopen a hearing tolls not                   EPA has revised the language in
                                              mail’’ in this revision to the mailbox rule because     only the time by when an initial                       § 124.19(i)(3) to clarify that parties may
                                              the Environmental Appeals Board previously ruled        decision becomes final or by when an                   agree to electronic service by facsimile,
                                              that a prior version of this provision referencing
                                              ‘‘certified mail’’ did not cover a document served
                                                                                                      appeal of an initial decision to the                   email, or other electronic means. The
                                              by EPA internal mail. In re Outboard Marine Corp.,      Environmental Appeals Board must be                    EPA has also revised § 124.19(i)(3) to
                                              6 E.A.D. 194, 197 (EAB 1995).                           filed but also the time by which the                   require that parties that consent to


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                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                            2233

                                              service by electronic means file                        PRA. This action will modify the EPA’s                 G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
                                              acknowledgement of that consent with                    procedural regulations governing                       Children From Environmental Health
                                              the Environmental Appeals Board.                        administrative adjudicatory proceedings                and Safety Risks
                                                 The EPA has also made several                        and appeals of adjudicatory proceedings
                                              changes to part 124 on service and filing               and permit decisions to allow flexibility                The EPA interprets Executive Order
                                              that duplicate the changes made to part                 in the methods of serving and issuing                  13045 as applying only to those
                                              22: (1) Requiring that a party’s first                  documents and to promote efficiency in                 regulatory actions that concern
                                              filing contain an email address                         allocation of judicial resources.                      environmental health or safety risks that
                                              (§ 124.19(i)(3)(i)); (2) authorizing the                Specifically, the modifications to the                 the EPA has reason to believe may
                                              Environmental Appeals Board to require                  Rules of Practice will codify the                      disproportionately affect children, per
                                              that parties file documents by facsimile                electronic service of documents between                the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
                                              or through use of the Board’s electronic                parties and by EPA adjudicative bodies.                action’’ in section 2–202 of the
                                              filing system (§ 124.19(i)(2)); (3)                     In addition, the modifications will                    Executive Order. This action is not
                                              allowing the Environmental Appeals                      facilitate the efficient issuance of rulings           subject to Executive Order 13045
                                              Board to authorize or require that the                  on motions by substituting an                          because it does not concern an
                                              parties serve each other by facsimile or                Administrative Law Judge for the                       environmental health risk or safety risk.
                                              other electronic means, including email                 Environmental Appeals Board to serve                   H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
                                              (§ 124.19(i)(3)(ii)); and (4) authorizing               as the presiding officer in civil penalty              Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                              the Board to serve rulings, orders, and                 cases initiated at EPA Headquarters                    Distribution, or Use
                                              decisions on the parties by electronic                  before an answer is filed.
                                              means (including but not necessarily                                                                             This action is not subject to Executive
                                              limited to facsimile and email).                        C. Regulatory Flexibility Act                          Order 13211 because it is not a
                                              (§ 124.19(i)(3)(iii).                                     This action is not subject to the RFA.               significant regulatory action under
                                                 Section 124.19(b)(1) and (2) are                     The RFA applies only to rules subject to               Executive Order 12866.
                                              modified so that the deadlines for filing               notice and comment rulemaking
                                              a response to a petition for review are                                                                        I. National Technology Transfer
                                                                                                      requirements under the Administrative                  Advancement Act
                                              based on the date the petition is served,               Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, or
                                              rather than filed. This provides for                                                                             This rulemaking does not involve
                                                                                                      any other statute. This rule pertains to
                                              appropriate notice of the petition for                                                                         technical standards.
                                                                                                      agency management or personnel,
                                              review in advance of the deadline for a
                                                                                                      which the APA expressly exempts from
                                              response.                                                                                                      J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
                                                 Similar to the changes made in the                   notice and comment rulemaking
                                                                                                                                                             Actions To Address Environmental
                                              mailbox rule in § 22.7(c), discussed                    requirements under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2).
                                                                                                                                                             Justice in Minority Populations and
                                              above, the EPA has modified § 124.20(d)                 D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                        Low-Income Populations
                                              to specify that three days are added to
                                              a prescribed period of time to act when                    This action does not contain any                       The EPA believes that this action does
                                              service is made by U.S. mail, the EPA’s                 unfunded mandate as described in                       not have disproportionately high and
                                              internal mail, or a reliable, commercial                UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does                     adverse human health or environmental
                                              delivery service. Three days are not                    not significantly or uniquely affect small             effects on minority populations, low-
                                              added to the prescribed time to act                     governments. The action imposes no                     income populations and/or indigenous
                                              when service is made by personal                        enforceable duty on any state, local or                peoples, as specified in Executive Order
                                              delivery or electronic transmission (e.g.,              tribal governments or the private sector.              12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
                                              facsimile or email).                                    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism                   This action will modify the EPA’s
                                                 The EPA has also added word/page                                                                            procedural regulations governing
                                              limitations to § 124.19(f) for motions                    This action does not have federalism                 administrative adjudicatory proceedings
                                              mirroring the word/page limitations                     implications. It will not have substantial             and appeals of adjudicatory proceedings
                                              added to § 22.30. Finally, the EPA has                  direct effect on the States, on the                    and permit decisions to allow flexibility
                                              amended § 124.19(a)(4)(ii) and (b) to                   relationship between the national                      in the methods of serving and issuing
                                              further clarify that parties are to provide             government and the States, or on the                   documents and to promote efficiency in
                                              in their briefs appropriate reference to                distribution of power and                              allocation of judicial resources.
                                              the administrative record (e.g., by                     responsibilities among the various
                                                                                                                                                             K. Congressional Review Act
                                              including the document name and page                    levels of government.
                                              number) as to each issue raised.                        F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation                   This rule is exempt from the CRA
                                              IV. Statutory and Executive Order                       and Coordination With Indian Tribal                    because it is a rule relating to agency
                                              Reviews                                                 Governments                                            management or personnel.
                                              A. Executive Orders 12866: Regulatory                      This action does not have tribal                    List of Subjects
                                              Planning and Review and 13563:                          implications, as specified in Executive                40 CFR Part 22
                                              Improving Regulation and Regulatory                     Order 13175. This action will modify
                                              Review                                                  the EPA’s procedural regulations                         Environmental protection,
                                                This action is exempt from review by                  governing administrative adjudicatory                  Administrative practice and procedure,
                                              the Office of Management and Budget                     proceedings and appeals of adjudicatory                Air pollution control, Hazardous
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                                              (OMB) because it is limited to agency                   proceedings and permit decisions to                    substances, Hazardous waste, Penalties,
                                              organization, management, or personnel                  allow flexibility in the methods of                    Pesticides and pests, Poison prevention,
                                              matters.                                                serving and issuing documents and to                   Water pollution control.
                                                                                                      promote efficiency in allocation of                    40 CFR Part 124
                                              B. Paperwork Reduction Act                              judicial resources. Thus, Executive
                                                This action does not impose an                        Order 13175 does not apply to this                      Environmental protection,
                                              information collection burden under the                 action.                                                Administrative practice and procedures.


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                                              2234                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Dated: December 20, 2016.                             electronic filing system, according to the             § 22.6 Filing and service of rulings, orders
                                              Gina McCarthy,                                          procedures specified in 40 CFR 124.19                  and decisions.
                                              Administrator.                                          (i)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii). The Presiding                 All rulings, orders, decisions, and
                                                For the reasons set out in the                        Officer or the Environmental Appeals                   other documents issued by the Regional
                                              preamble, 40 CFR parts 22 and 124 are                   Board may by order authorize or require                Administrator or Presiding Officer shall
                                              amended as follows:                                     filing by facsimile or an electronic filing            be filed with the Headquarters or
                                                                                                      system, subject to any appropriate                     Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate,
                                              PART 22—CONSOLIDATED RULES OF                           conditions and limitations.                            in any manner allowed for the service
                                              PRACTICE GOVERNING THE                                  *      *       *     *      *                          of such documents. All rulings, orders,
                                              ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT OF                               (b) Service of documents. Unless the                decisions, and other documents issued
                                              CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE                                 proceeding is before the Environmental                 by the Environmental Appeals Board
                                              REVOCATION/TERMINATION OR                               Appeals Board, a copy of each                          shall be filed with the Clerk of the
                                              SUSPENSION OF PERMITS                                   document filed in the proceeding shall                 Board. The Clerk of the Board, the
                                                                                                      be served on the Presiding Officer and                 Headquarters Hearing Clerk, or the
                                              ■ 1. The authority citation for part 22 is              on each party. In a proceeding before                  Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate,
                                              revised to read as follows:                             the Environmental Appeals Board, a                     must serve copies of such rulings,
                                                Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1361; 15 U.S.C. 2615;             copy of each document filed in the                     orders, decisions and other documents
                                              33 U.S.C. 1319, 1342, 1361, 1415 and 1418;              proceeding shall be served on each                     on all parties. Service may be made by
                                              42 U.S.C. 300g–3(g), 6912, 6925, 6928, 6991e            party.                                                 U.S. mail (including by certified mail or
                                              and 6992d; 42 U.S.C. 7413(d), 7524(c),                  *      *       *     *      *                          return receipt requested, Overnight
                                              7545(d), 7547, 7601 and 7607(a), 9609, and                 (2) Service of filed documents other                Express and Priority Mail), EPA’s
                                              11045.
                                                                                                      than the complaint, rulings, orders, and               internal mail, any reliable commercial
                                              Subpart A—General                                       decisions. All documents filed by a                    delivery service, or electronic means
                                                                                                      party other than the complaint, rulings,               (including but not necessarily limited to
                                              ■ 2. In § 22.4, revise the first sentence of            orders, and decisions shall be served by               facsimile and email).
                                              paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:                    the filing party on all other parties.                 ■ 5. In § 22.7, revise paragraph (c) to
                                                                                                      Service may be made personally, by                     read as follows:
                                              § 22.4 Powers and duties of the
                                                                                                      U.S. mail (including certified mail,
                                              Environmental Appeals Board, Regional                                                                          § 22.7    Computation and extension of time.
                                              Judicial Officer and Presiding Officer;                 return receipt requested, Overnight
                                              disqualification, withdrawal, and                       Express and Priority Mail), by any                     *      *     *    *    *
                                              reassignment.                                           reliable commercial delivery service, or                  (c) Completion of service. Service of
                                                                                                      by facsimile or other electronic means,                the complaint is complete when the
                                                (a) Environmental Appeals Board. (1)
                                                                                                      including but not necessarily limited to               return receipt is signed. Service of all
                                              The Environmental Appeals Board rules
                                                                                                      email, if service by such electronic                   other documents is complete upon
                                              on appeals from the initial decisions,
                                                                                                      means is consented to in writing. A                    mailing, when placed in the custody of
                                              rulings and orders of a Presiding Officer
                                                                                                      party who consents to service by                       a reliable commercial delivery service,
                                              in proceedings under these
                                                                                                      facsimile or email must file an                        or for facsimile or other electronic
                                              Consolidated Rules of Practice, and
                                                                                                      acknowledgement of its consent                         means, including but not necessarily
                                              approves settlement of proceedings
                                                                                                      (identifying the type of electronic means              limited to email, upon transmission.
                                              under these Consolidated Rules of
                                                                                                      agreed to and the electronic address to                Where a document is served by U.S.
                                              Practice commenced at EPA
                                                                                                      be used) with the appropriate Clerk. In                mail, EPA internal mail, or commercial
                                              Headquarters. * * *
                                                                                                      addition, the Presiding Officer or the                 delivery service, including overnight or
                                              *      *     *     *      *                                                                                    same-day delivery, 3 days shall be
                                                                                                      Environmental Appeals Board may by
                                              ■ 3. In § 22.5, revise the section heading                                                                     added to the time allowed by these
                                                                                                      order authorize or require service by
                                              and paragraphs (a)(1), (b) introductory                 facsimile, email, or other electronic                  Consolidated Rules of Practice for the
                                              text, (b)(2), and (c)(4) to read as follows:            means, subject to any appropriate                      filing of a responsive document. The
                                              § 22.5 Filing, service by the parties, and              conditions and limitations.                            time allowed for the serving of a
                                              form of all filed documents; business                      (c) * * *                                           responsive document is not expanded
                                              confidentiality claims.                                    (4) The first document filed by any                 by 3 days when the served document is
                                                (a) Filing of documents. (1) The                      person shall contain the name, mailing                 served by personal delivery, facsimile,
                                              original and one copy of each document                  address, telephone number, and email                   or other electronic means, including but
                                              intended to be part of the record shall                 address of an individual authorized to                 not necessarily limited to email.
                                              be filed with the Headquarters or                       receive service relating to the
                                                                                                      proceeding on behalf of the person.                    Subpart C—Prehearing Procedures
                                              Regional Hearing Clerk, as appropriate,
                                              when the proceeding is before the                       Parties shall promptly file any changes
                                                                                                                                                             ■ 6. In § 22.16, revise paragraph (c) to
                                              Presiding Officer, or filed with the Clerk              in this information with the
                                                                                                                                                             read as follows:
                                              of the Board when the proceeding is                     Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk
                                              before the Environmental Appeals                        or the Clerk of the Board, as appropriate,             § 22.16    Motions.
                                              Board. A document is filed when it is                   and serve copies on the Presiding                      *      *    *     *    *
                                              received by the appropriate Clerk. When                 Officer and all parties to the proceeding.                (c) Decision. The Regional Judicial
                                              a document is required to be filed with                 If a party fails to furnish such                       Officer (or in a proceeding commenced
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                                              the Environmental Appeals Board, the                    information and any changes thereto,                   at EPA Headquarters, an Administrative
                                              document shall be sent to the Clerk of                  service to the party’s last known address              Law Judge) shall rule on all motions
                                              the Board by U.S. Mail, delivered by                    shall satisfy the requirements of                      filed or made before an answer to the
                                              hand or courier (including delivery by                  paragraph (b)(2) of this section and                   complaint is filed. Except as provided in
                                              U.S. Express Mail or by a commercial                    § 22.6.                                                §§ 22.29(c) and 22.51, an Administrative
                                              delivery service), or transmitted by the                *      *       *     *      *                          Law Judge shall rule on all motions filed
                                              Environmental Appeal Board’s                            ■ 4. Revise § 22.6 to read as follows:                 or made after an answer is filed and


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                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                             2235

                                              before an initial decision becomes final                initial decision and shall state the                   document name and page number)),
                                              or has been appealed. The                               specific grounds upon which relief is                  argument on the issues presented, a
                                              Environmental Appeals Board shall rule                  sought. The motion shall be made to the                short conclusion stating the precise
                                              as provided in § 22.29(c) and on all                    Presiding Officer and filed with the                   relief sought, alternative findings of fact,
                                              motions filed or made after an appeal of                Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk,                and alternative conclusions regarding
                                              the initial decision is filed, except as                as appropriate. A copy of the motion                   issues of law or discretion. If any
                                              provided pursuant to § 22.28.                           shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board             appellant includes attachments to its
                                              ■ 7. Revise the subpart E heading to                    in the manner prescribed by § 22.5(a)(1).              notice of appeal or appellate brief, the
                                              read as follows:                                          (2) Effect of motion to set aside                    notice of appeal or appellate brief shall
                                                                                                      default. The timely filing of a motion to              contain a table that provides the title of
                                              Subpart E—Initial Decision, Motion To                   set aside a default order automatically                each appended document and assigns a
                                              Reopen a Hearing, and Motion To Set                     tolls the running of the time periods for              label identifying where it may be found
                                              Aside a Default Order                                   an initial decision becoming final under               in the record.
                                                                                                      § 22.27(c), for appeal under § 22.30(a),                  (iv) Multiple appeals. If a timely
                                              ■   8. Revise § 22.28 to read as follows:               and for the Environmental Appeals                      notice of appeal is filed by a party, any
                                              § 22.28 Motion to reopen a hearing or to                Board to elect to review the initial                   other party may file a notice of appeal
                                              set aside a default order.                              decision on its own initiative pursuant                and accompanying appellate brief on
                                                                                                      to § 22.30(b). These time periods begin                any issue within 20 days after the date
                                                 (a) Motion to reopen a hearing—(1)
                                                                                                      again in full when the Presiding Officer               on which the first notice of appeal was
                                              Filing and content. A motion to reopen
                                                                                                      serves an order denying the motion to                  served or within the time to appeal in
                                              a hearing to take further evidence must
                                                                                                      set aside or an amended decision. The                  paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section,
                                              be filed no later than 20 days after
                                                                                                      Presiding Officer may summarily deny                   whichever period ends later.
                                              service of the initial decision and shall                                                                         (2) Response brief. Within 20 days of
                                              state the specific grounds upon which                   subsequent motions to set aside a
                                                                                                      default order filed by the same party if               service of notices of appeal and briefs
                                              relief is sought. Where the movant seeks                                                                       under paragraph (a)(1) of this section,
                                              to introduce new evidence, the motion                   the Presiding Officer determines that the
                                                                                                      motion was filed to delay the finality of              any other party or non-party participant
                                              shall: State briefly the nature and                                                                            may file with the Environmental
                                              purpose of the evidence to be adduced;                  the decision.
                                                                                                                                                             Appeals Board an original and one copy
                                              show that such evidence is not                                                                                 of a response brief responding to
                                                                                                      Subpart F—Appeals and
                                              cumulative; and show good cause why                                                                            arguments raised by the appellant,
                                                                                                      Administrative Review
                                              such evidence was not adduced at the                                                                           together with specific citation or other
                                              hearing. The motion shall be made to                    ■ 9. In § 22.30, revise paragraphs (a), (b),           appropriate reference to the record,
                                              the Presiding Officer and filed with the                (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:                  initial decision, and opposing brief (e.g.,
                                              Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk,                                                                        by including the document name and
                                              as appropriate. A copy of the motion                    § 22.30 Appeal from or review of initial               page number). Appellee shall
                                              shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board              decision.
                                                                                                                                                             simultaneously serve one copy of the
                                              in the manner prescribed by § 22.5(a)(1).                 (a) Notice of appeal and appeal                      response brief upon each party, non-
                                                 (2) Disposition of motion to reopen a                brief—(1) Filing an appeal—(i) Filing                  party participant, and the Regional
                                              hearing. Within 15 days following the                   deadline and who may appeal. Within                    Hearing Clerk. Response briefs shall be
                                              service of a motion to reopen a hearing,                30 days after the initial decision is                  limited to the scope of the appeal brief.
                                              any other party to the proceeding may                   served, any party may file an appeal                   If any responding party or non-party
                                              file with the Headquarters or Regional                  from any adverse order or ruling of the                participant includes attachments to its
                                              Hearing Clerk, as appropriate, and serve                Presiding Officer.                                     response brief, the response brief shall
                                              on all other parties a response. A                        (ii) Filing requirements. Appellant                  contain a table that provides the title of
                                              reopened hearing shall be governed by                   must file a notice of appeal and an                    each appended document and assigns a
                                              the applicable sections of these                        accompanying appellate brief with the                  label identifying where it may be found
                                              Consolidated Rules of Practice. The                     Environmental Appeals Board as set                     in the record. Further briefs may be filed
                                              timely filing of a motion to reopen a                   forth in § 22.5(a). One copy of any                    only with leave of the Environmental
                                              hearing shall automatically toll the                    document filed with the Clerk of the                   Appeals Board.
                                              running of the time periods for an initial              Board shall also be served on the                         (3) Length—(i) Briefs. Unless
                                              decision becoming final under                           Headquarters or Regional Hearing Clerk,                otherwise ordered by the Environmental
                                              § 22.27(c), for appeal under § 22.30, and               as appropriate. Appellant also shall                   Appeals Board, appellate and response
                                              for the Environmental Appeals Board to                  serve a copy of the notice of appeal                   briefs may not exceed 14,000 words,
                                              elect to review the initial decision on its             upon the Presiding Officer. Appellant                  and all other briefs may not exceed 7000
                                              own initiative pursuant to § 22.30(b).                  shall simultaneously serve one copy of                 words. Filers may rely on the word-
                                              These time periods begin again in full                  the notice and brief upon all other                    processing system used to determine the
                                              when the Presiding Officer serves an                    parties and non-party participants.                    word count. As an alternative to this
                                              order denying the motion to reopen the                    (iii) Content. The notice of appeal                  word limitation, filers may comply with
                                              hearing or an amended decision. The                     shall summarize the order or ruling, or                a 30-page limit for appellate and
                                              Presiding Officer may summarily deny                    part thereof, appealed from. The                       response briefs, or a 15-page limit for
                                              subsequent motions to reopen a hearing                  appellant’s brief shall contain tables of              replies. Headings, footnotes, and
                                              filed by the same party if the Presiding                contents and authorities (with                         quotations count toward the word
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                                              Officer determines that the motion was                  appropriate page references), a                        limitation. The table of contents, table of
                                              filed to delay the finality of the                      statement of the issues presented for                  authorities, table of attachments (if any),
                                              decision.                                               review, a statement of the nature of the               statement requesting oral argument (if
                                                 (b) Motion to set aside default order—               case and the facts relevant to the issues              any), statement of compliance with the
                                              (1) Filing and content. A motion to set                 presented for review (with specific                    word limitation, and any attachments
                                              aside a default order must be filed no                  citation or other appropriate reference to             do not count toward the word or page-
                                              later than 20 days after service of the                 the record (e.g., by including the                     length limitation. The Environmental


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                                              2236                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                              Appeals Board may exclude any appeal,                   argument on any or all issues in a                     comment period (including any public
                                              response, or other brief that does not                  proceeding. To request oral argument, a                hearing) to the extent required by
                                              meet word or page-length limitations.                   party must include in its substantive                  § 124.13. * * *
                                              Where a party can demonstrate a                         brief a statement explaining why oral                     (b) Response(s) to a petition for
                                              compelling and documented need to                       argument is necessary. The                             review. (1) In a PSD or other new source
                                              exceed such limitations, such party                     Environmental Appeals Board may, by                    permit appeal, the Regional
                                              must seek advance leave of the                          order, establish additional procedures                 Administrator must file a response to
                                              Environmental Appeals Board to file a                   governing any oral argument before the                 the petition for review, a certified index
                                              longer brief. Such requests are                         Environmental Appeals Board.                           of the administrative record, and the
                                              discouraged and will be granted only in                   (e) Motions on appeal—(1) General.                   relevant portions of the administrative
                                              unusual circumstances.                                  All motions made during the course of                  record within 21 days after the service
                                                 (ii) Motions. Unless otherwise ordered               an appeal shall conform to § 22.16                     of the petition. The response brief must
                                              by the Environmental Appeals Board,                     unless otherwise provided. In advance                  respond to arguments raised by the
                                              motions and any responses or replies                    of filing a motion, parties must attempt               appellant, together with specific citation
                                              may not exceed 7000 words. Filers may                   to ascertain whether the other party(ies)              or other appropriate reference to the
                                              rely on the word-processing system                      concur(s) or object(s) to the motion and               record (e.g., by including the document
                                              used to determine the word count. As                    must indicate in the motion the attempt                name and page number).
                                              an alternative to this word limitation,                 made and the response obtained.                           (2) In all other permit appeals under
                                              filers may comply with a 15-page limit.                   (2) Disposition of a motion for a                    this section, the Regional Administrator
                                              Headings, footnotes, and quotations                     procedural order. The Environmental                    must file a response to the petition, a
                                              count toward the word or page-length                    Appeals Board may act on a motion for                  certified index of the administrative
                                              limitation. The Environmental Appeals                   a procedural order at any time without                 record, and the relevant portions of the
                                              Board may exclude any motion that                       awaiting a response.                                   administrative record within 30 days
                                              does not meet word limitations. Where                     (3) Timing on motions for extension of               after the service of a petition.
                                              a party can demonstrate a compelling                    time. Parties must file motions for                    *      *      *    *    *
                                              and documented need to exceed such                      extensions of time sufficiently in                        (f) * * *
                                              limitations, such party must seek                       advance of the due date to allow other                    (5) Length. Unless otherwise ordered
                                              advance leave of the Environmental                      parties to have a reasonable opportunity               by the Environmental Appeals Board,
                                              Appeals Board. Such requests are                        to respond to the request for more time                motions and any responses or replies
                                              discouraged and will be granted only in                 and to provide the Environmental                       may not exceed 7000 words. Filers may
                                              unusual circumstances.                                  Appeals Board with a reasonable                        rely on the word-processing system
                                                 (b) Review initiated by the                          opportunity to issue an order.                         used to determine the word count. In
                                              Environmental Appeals Board.                                                                                   lieu of a word limitation, filers may
                                                                                                      *      *     *    *     *
                                              Whenever the Environmental Appeals                                                                             comply with a 15-page limit. Headings,
                                              Board determines to review an initial                   PART 124—PROCEDURES FOR                                footnotes, and quotations count toward
                                              decision on its own initiative, it shall                DECISIONMAKING                                         the word or page-length limitation. The
                                              issue an order notifying the parties and                                                                       Environmental Appeals Board may
                                              the Presiding Officer of its intent to                  ■ 10. The authority citation for part 124              exclude any motion that does not meet
                                              review that decision. The Clerk of the                  continues to read as follows:                          word limitations. Where a party can
                                              Board shall serve the order upon the                      Authority: Resource Conservation and                 demonstrate a compelling and
                                              Regional Hearing Clerk, the Presiding                   Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.; Safe             documented need to exceed such
                                              Officer, and the parties within 45 days                 Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.;            limitations, such party must seek
                                              after the initial decision was served                   Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.;               advance leave of the Environmental
                                              upon the parties. In that order or in a                 Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                                                                                                                             Appeals Board. Such requests are
                                              later order, the Environmental Appeals
                                                                                                      Subpart A—General Program                              discouraged and will be granted only in
                                              Board shall identify any issues to be
                                                                                                      Requirements                                           unusual circumstances.
                                              briefed by the parties and establish a
                                              time schedule for filing and service of                                                                        *      *      *    *    *
                                              briefs.                                                 ■ 11. In § 124.19:                                        (i) Filing and service requirements.
                                                 (c) Scope of appeal or review. The                   ■ a. Revise the first sentence of                      Documents filed under this section,
                                              parties’ rights of appeal shall be limited              paragraph (a)(4)(ii), and paragraph (b).               including the petition for review, must
                                                                                                      ■ b. Redesignate paragraph (f)(5) as                   be filed with the Clerk of the
                                              to those issues raised during the course
                                              of the proceeding and by the initial                    paragraph (f)(6).                                      Environmental Appeals Board. A
                                                                                                      ■ c. Add a new paragraph (f)(5).                       document is filed when it is received by
                                              decision, and to issues concerning
                                                                                                      ■ d. Revise paragraphs (i) introductory                the Clerk of the Environmental Appeals
                                              subject matter jurisdiction. If the
                                                                                                      text, (i)(2) introductory text, and (3).               Board at the address specified for the
                                              Environmental Appeals Board                               The addition and revisions read as
                                              determines that issues raised, but not                                                                         appropriate method of delivery as
                                                                                                      follows:                                               provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this
                                              appealed by the parties, should be
                                              argued, it shall give the parties written               § 124.19 Appeal of RCRA, UIC, NPDES and                section. Service of a document between
                                              notice of such determination to allow                   PSD Permits.                                           parties to an appeal or by the
                                              preparation of adequate argument. The                     (a) * * *                                            Environmental Appeals Board on a
                                              Environmental Appeals Board may                           (4) * * *                                            party is complete upon mailing for U.S.
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                                              remand the case to the Presiding Officer                  (ii) Petitioners must demonstrate, by                mail or EPA internal mail, when placed
                                              for further proceedings.                                providing specific citation or other                   in the custody of a reliable commercial
                                                 (d) Argument before the                              appropriate reference to the                           delivery service, or upon transmission
                                              Environmental Appeals Board. The                        administrative record (e.g., by including              for facsimile or email.
                                              Environmental Appeals Board may, at                     the document name and page number),                    *      *      *    *    *
                                              its discretion in response to a request or              that each issue being raised in the                       (2) Method of filing. Unless otherwise
                                              on its own initiative, order oral                       petition was raised during the public                  permitted under these rules, documents


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                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 5 / Monday, January 9, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                             2237

                                              must be filed either by using the                       Priority Mail), EPA’s internal mail, any               the Internet and will be publicly
                                              Environmental Appeals Board’s                           reliable commercial delivery service, or               available only in hard copy form.
                                              electronic filing system, by U.S. mail, or              electronic means (including but not                    Publicly available docket materials are
                                              by hand delivery. In addition, a motion                 necessarily limited to facsimile and                   available at http://www.regulations.gov
                                              or a response to a motion may be                        email).                                                or at the U.S. Environmental Protection
                                              submitted by facsimile if the submission                *     *     *     *     *                              Agency, EPA New England Regional
                                              contains no attachments. Upon filing a                  ■ 12. In § 124.20, revise paragraph (d) to
                                                                                                                                                             Office, Office of Ecosystem Protection,
                                              motion or response to a motion by                       read as follows:                                       Air Quality Planning Unit, 5 Post Office
                                              facsimile, the sender must, within one                                                                         Square—Suite 100, Boston, MA. EPA
                                              business day, submit the original copy                  § 124.20    Computation of time.                       requests that, if at all possible, you
                                              to the Clerk of the Environmental                       *      *    *    *      *                              contact the contact listed in the FOR
                                              Appeals Board either electronically, by                    (d) When a party or interested person               FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
                                              mail, or by hand-delivery. The                          may or must act within a prescribed                    schedule your inspection. The Regional
                                              Environmental Appeals Board may by                      period after being served and service is               Office’s official hours of business are
                                              order require filing by facsimile or the                made by U.S. mail, EPA’s internal mail,                Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
                                              Board’s electronic filing system, subject               or reliable commercial delivery service,               4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.
                                              to any appropriate conditions and                       3 days shall be added to the prescribed                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              limitations.                                            time. The prescribed period for acting                 Richard P. Burkhart, Air Quality
                                              *       *    *      *    *                              after being served is not expanded by 3                Planning Unit, Air Programs Branch
                                                 (3) Service—(i) Service information.                 days when service is made by personal                  (Mail Code OEP05–02), U.S.
                                              The first document filed by any person                  delivery, facsimile, or email.                         Environmental Protection Agency,
                                              shall contain the name, mailing address,                [FR Doc. 2016–31638 Filed 1–6–17; 8:45 am]             Region 1, 5 Post Office Square, Suite
                                              telephone number, and email address of                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109–
                                              an individual authorized to receive                                                                            3912; (617) 918–1664;
                                              service relating to the proceeding.                                                                            burkhart.richard@epa.gov.
                                              Parties shall promptly file any changes                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                              in this information with the Clerk of the               AGENCY                                                 Throughout this document whenever
                                              Environmental Appeals Board, and                                                                               ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
                                              serve copies on all parties to the                      40 CFR Part 52                                         EPA.
                                              proceeding. If a party fails to furnish                 [EPA–R01–OAR–2015–0402; FRL–9957–27–                      Organization of this document. The
                                              such information and any changes                        Region 1]                                              following outline is provided to aid in
                                              thereto, service to the party’s last known                                                                     locating information in this preamble.
                                              address shall satisfy the requirements of               Approval and Promulgation of                           I. Background and Purpose
                                              paragraph (i)(3) of this section.                       Implementation Plans; Rhode Island;                    II. Public Comments
                                                 (ii) Service requirements for parties.               Clean Air Act Infrastructure State and                 III. Final Action
                                              Petitioner must serve the petition for                  Federal Implementation Plans                           IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
                                              review on the Regional Administrator
                                              and the permit applicant (if the                        AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                      I. Background and Purpose
                                              applicant is not the petitioner). Once an               Agency (EPA).                                             This rulemaking addresses
                                              appeal is docketed, every document                      ACTION: Final rule.                                    infrastructure SIP submissions from the
                                              filed with the Environmental Appeals                                                                           State of Rhode Island for the 1997 fine
                                                                                                      SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection
                                              Board must be served on all other                                                                              particle matter (PM2.5), 2006 PM2.5, 2008
                                                                                                      Agency (EPA) is removing several
                                              parties. Service must be by first class                                                                        lead (Pb), 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen
                                                                                                      obsolete Federal Implementation Plans
                                              U.S. mail, by any reliable commercial                                                                          dioxide (NO2), and 2010 sulfur dioxide
                                                                                                      (FIPs) for the State of Rhode Island.
                                              delivery service, or, if agreed to by the                                                                      (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality
                                                                                                      These FIPs address Clean Air Act (CAA)
                                              parties, by facsimile or other electronic                                                                      Standards (NAAQS). The state
                                                                                                      infrastructure State Implementation
                                              means, including but not necessarily                                                                           submitted these infrastructure SIPs on
                                                                                                      Plan (SIP) requirements that have since
                                              limited to or email. A party who                                                                               the following dates: 1997 PM2.5—
                                                                                                      been addressed by Rhode Island in its
                                              consents to service by facsimile or other                                                                      September 10, 2008; 2006 PM2.5—
                                                                                                      SIP. Therefore, EPA is removing from
                                              electronic means must file an                                                                                  November 6, 2009; 2008 Pb—October
                                                                                                      the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
                                              acknowledgement of its consent                                                                                 26, 2011; 2008 ozone—January 2, 2013;
                                                                                                      the corresponding FIPs. This action is
                                              (identifying the type of electronic means                                                                      2010 NO2—January 2, 2013; and 2010
                                                                                                      being taken in accordance with the
                                              agreed to and the electronic address to                                                                        SO2—June 27, 2014. Details of Rhode
                                                                                                      CAA.
                                              be used) with the Clerk of the                                                                                 Island’s submittals and EPA evaluation
                                              Environmental Appeals Board. The                        DATES:  This rule is effective on February             of those submittals can be found in our
                                              Environmental Appeals Board may by                      8, 2017.                                               Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR)
                                              order authorize or require service by                   ADDRESSES: EPA has established a                       (81 FR 10168; February 29, 2016).
                                              facsimile, email, or other electronic                   docket for this action under Docket                       On April 20, 2016, EPA took final
                                              means, subject to any appropriate                       Identification No. EPA–R01–OAR–                        action on the vast majority of the
                                              conditions and limitations.                             2015–0402. All documents in the docket                 elements included in these submittals
                                                 (iii) Service of rulings, orders, and                are listed on the http://                              (see 81 FR 23175). In today’s action,
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                                              decisions. The Clerk of the                             www.regulations.gov Web site, although                 EPA is taking final action on its
                                              Environmental Appeals Board must                        some information, such as confidential                 proposal to remove the following
                                              serve copies of rulings, orders, and                    business information or other                          sections from the Code of Federal
                                              decisions on all parties. Service may be                information whose disclosure is                        Regulations (CFR): 40 CFR 52.2073(b);
                                              made by U.S. mail (including by                         restricted by statute is not publically                52.2075(b); and 52.2078(b). As
                                              certified mail or return receipt                        available. Certain other material, such as             discussed in detail in the NPR, these
                                              requested, Overnight Express and                        copyrighted material, is not placed on                 sections related to the public


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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:11:45
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:11:45
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis rule is effective on March 10, 2017.
ContactMichael B. Wright, Office of Administrative Law Judges, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ronald Reagan Building, Room M1200, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20004, phone number (202) 564-3247 or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 2230 
CFR Citation40 CFR 124
40 CFR 22
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedures; Environmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Air Pollution Control; Hazardous Substances; Hazardous Waste; Penalties; Pesticides and Pests; Poison Prevention and Water Pollution Control

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