EPA Considers Revision of Air Quality Standards for Lead
Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. - Texas Environmental Update, January 2008
EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPR”) in the December 17, 2007 Federal Register initiating a 30-day public notice period regarding issues under consideration in connection with EPA's ongoing review of the national ambient air quality standards (“NAAQS”) for lead. The ANPR is a key component of EPA’s new NAAQS review process. The ANPR’s purpose is to solicit comment from the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (“CASAC”) and other interested parties on a wide variety of issues before EPA issues a proposal in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. In this first ANPR issued as part of a NAAQS review, EPA sought comment on the adequacy of the existing lead NAAQS, on potential revisions to these standards, and on whether to maintain a NAAQS for lead. Additionally, the ANPR contained a request for comment on issues relating to monitoring of lead concentrations.
Pursuant to court order, by September 1, 2008 the EPA administrator must sign a Notice of Final Rulemaking for publication. In order to meet that deadline, by May 1, 2008 EPA plans to approve for publication a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which will provide the opportunity for further public comment. The ANPR and related information is available on EPA’s website.1
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