Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 92— - POWERPLANT AND INDUSTRIAL FUEL USE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VII— - ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT › Part Part A— - Procedures › § 8411
Agencies must follow the rule-making steps in section 553 of title 5 unless this chapter says something different. Before the Secretary creates a rule or order that bans something, he must publish the proposed rule or order in the Federal Register, explain the reasons, and for rules include any special details to consider. A copy must be sent to the operator of any specific powerplant named. People can ask for an exemption by filing a petition in the form and at the time the Secretary sets. When a petition is filed, the Secretary must publish it with the petitioner’s reasons and allow at least 45 days for written public comment. Rules for how to file petitions had to be made no later than 120 days after November 9, 1978. The Secretary must tell and, when possible, work with the state agencies that regulate the powerplant. The Secretary must decide on a petition within 6 months after the public comment and hearing period, unless an extension is published with reasons. Anyone interested must be allowed a public hearing to speak and to question other speakers, federal staff or contractors involved, and experts used by presenters. A transcript of the hearing must be kept. Final decisions must be based on the full record and on reliable evidence. The Secretary must send proposed bans or exemption petitions to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and ask for comments during the public comment period; the EPA gets the same hearing rights as others. Except as provided in sections 8412(c)(4), 8433(d)(5), and 8434, title V of the Department of Energy Organization Act does not apply here. These procedures do not apply to actions under section 8374, and they are not changed or replaced by other laws unless those laws clearly say so.
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The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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42 U.S.C. § 8411
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73