Proposed Settlement Agreement; National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) From Facilities That Manufacture Pharmaceutical Products

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6518-9]

Proposed Settlement Agreement; National Emission Standards for

Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) From Facilities That Manufacture

Pharmaceutical Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed settlement; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act as

amended (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7413(g), notice is hereby given of a proposed

settlement agreement entered into by the EPA, the Pharmaceutical

Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Dow Chemical Company

(Dow), and the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA). On September

21, 1998, EPA issued the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air

Pollutants for Pharmaceutical Production (the Rule), 63 FR 50280. PhRMA

filed a petition for review of the Rule. Pharmaceutical Research and

Manufacturers of America v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, No.

98-1551 (D.C. Circuit). Dow and CMA joined the litigation as

intervenors. The proposed settlement agreement establishes a schedule

by which EPA will propose the revisions to the Rule and the preamble

language agreed to by the parties and set out in Attachment A to the

settlement agreement, and promulgate final revisions.

For a period of thirty (30) days following the date of publication

of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to

the settlement from persons not party to the proposed settlement

agreement. EPA or the Department of Justice may withhold or withdraw

consent to the proposed settlement if the comments disclose facts or

circumstances that indicate that such consent is inappropriate,

improper, inadequate, or inconsistent with the requirements of the CAA.

A copy of the proposed settlement agreement has been filed with the

clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of

Columbia Circuit. A copy of the proposed settlement may be obtained by

calling Rhonda Cardwell-Ramos, Air and Radiation Law Office, Office of

General Counsel, EPA at 202-564-5606. Written comments should be sent

to Karen H. Clark, Water Law Office (2355A), 401 M Street, Washington,

DC 20460, and must be submitted on or before February 4, 2000.

[[Page 453]]

Dated: December 30, 1999.

Robert Dreher,

Acting General Counsel.

[FR Doc. 00-185 Filed 1-4-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-M