Hazardous Materials: Requirements for DOT Specification Cylinders; Second Extension of Comment Period

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 107, 171, 172, 173, 177, 178 and 180

[Docket No. RSPA-98-3684(HM-220)]

RIN 2137-AA92

Hazardous Materials: Requirements for DOT Specification

Cylinders; Second Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: RSPA is extending the closing date for filing comments to a

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published under Docket HM-220 from

May 28 to September 30, 1999. RSPA is taking this action in response to

petitions filed by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), the Compressed Gas

Association, Inc. (CGA) and Airgas, Inc. The petitioners requested that

RSPA provide additional time to allow shippers, the gas and cylinder

industries, and other interested parties sufficient time to review and

address the proposed changes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Dockets Management System, U.S.

Department of Transportation, PL 401, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington,

DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify the docket number, RSPA 98-

3684(HM-220), and should be submitted in two copies. Persons wishing to

receive confirmation of receipt of their comments should include a

self-addressed stamped postcard. Comments may also be submitted to the

docket electronically by logging onto the Docket Management System

website at http://dms.dot.gov. Click on ``Help & Information'' to

obtain instructions for filing the document electronically. In every

case, the comment should refer to the Docket number ``3684''.

The Dockets Management System is located on the Plaza Level of the

Nassif Building, at the above address. Public dockets may be reviewed

at the address above between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. In addition, the

NPRM and all comments can be reviewed on the internet by accessing the

Hazmat Safety Homepage at ``http://hazmat.dot.gov.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Freeman, telephone number (202)

366-4545, Office of Hazardous Materials Technology, or Hattie Mitchell,

telephone number (202) 366-8553, Office of Hazardous Materials

Standards, Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S.

Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 30, 1998, RSPA published an NPRM

in the Federal Register under Docket HM-220 (63 FR 58460). RSPA

proposes in the NPRM to amend certain requirements in the Hazardous

Materials Regulations to establish four new DOT cylinder specifications

and to revise the requirements for maintenance, requalification, repair

and use of DOT specification cylinders. In addition, RSPA held three

public meetings to discuss the proposals on December 8, 1998 (63 FR

58460; October 30, 1998), January 28, 1999 (63 FR 72224; December 31,

1998) and April 13-15, 1999 (64 FR 9114; February 24, 1999). Also the

December 31 notice provided for a 120-day extension of the comment

period from January 28 to May 28.

The NPGA, the ARI, and the CGA petitioned RSPA for another

extension of at least 120 days from the May 28 deadline. Airgas Inc.

petitioned for a 90-day extension. The petitioners stated that this

second extension would allow affected persons more time to provide

substantive comments to the proposed changes. Many commenters attending

the April public meeting also stated that they would need more time to

submit their comments. RSPA agrees that additional time should be

provided and is hereby extending the closing date from May 28 to

September 30, 1999.

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 24, 1999.

Alan I. Roberts,

Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.

[FR Doc. 99-13643 Filed 5-27-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P