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EPA/OCSPP RIN: 2070-AJ38 Publication ID: Spring 2013 
Title: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs); Reassessment of Use Authorizations 
Abstract: EPA's regulations governing the use of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in electrical equipment and other applications were first issued in the late 1970s and have not been updated since 1998. EPA has initiated rulemaking to reassess the ongoing authorized uses of PCBs to determine whether certain use authorizations should be ended or phased out because they can no longer be justified under section 6(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act, which requires that the authorized use will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health and the environment. As the first step in this reassessment, EPA published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on April 7, 2010, and took comment through August 20, 2010. EPA reviewed and considered all comments received on the ANPRM in planning the current rulemaking. This action will address the following specific areas: (1) The use, distribution in commerce, marking, and storage for reuse of liquid PCBs in electric equipment; (2) improvements to the existing use authorization for natural gas pipelines; and (3) definitional and other regulatory "fixes." The reassessment of use authorizations related to liquid PCBs in equipment will focus on small capacitors in fluorescent light ballasts, large capacitors, transformers and other electrical equipment. In addition, revised testing, characterization, and reporting requirements for PCBs in natural gas pipeline systems to provide more transparency for the Agency and the public when PCB releases occur will be considered. Consistent with Executive Order 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," wherever possible and consistent with the overall objectives of this rulemaking, the Agency will also eliminate or fix regulatory inefficiencies noted by the Agency or in public comments on the ANPRM. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 761   
Legal Authority: 15 USC 2605    TSCA 6(e)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  04/07/2010  75 FR 17645   
ANPRM Extension  06/16/2010  75 FR 34076   
NPRM  07/00/2014 
Additional Information: Docket #:EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0757
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: Local, State, Tribal 
Federalism: Undetermined 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/index.htm  
Sectors Affected: 22 Utilities; 31-33 Manufacturing 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Sara Kemme
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7602M,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-1217
Email: kemme.sara@epa.gov

Peter Gimlin
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7404M,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-0515
Fax:202 566-0473
Email: gimlin.peter@epa.gov