Comment Period Extended on Formaldehyde Emissions Rule
EPA added an extra 45 days for the public to comment on the agency's plan to investigate formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products and its intention to involve stakeholders in gathering that information to better inform EPA's decision-making process. The comment period for this proposed rule was originally set to expire Feb. 2, 2009, but the new ending date for comments is now March 19. EPA says this extension is necessary to provide the public with an opportunity to provide additional and more thorough comments to the docket.
As part of its original information-gathering plan, EPA held five half-day public meetings in January, inviting stakeholders to comment on the issue of formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. Along with the comment period extension--and in order to encourage "more complete public participation"--the agency has now added a sixth public meeting on the subject. It will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, on March 4, from 1 p.m. until the last speaker is done or to 5 p.m. For more information, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2030.pdf.