OMB Receives 2011 Methyl Bromide Exemption Final Rule

The Office of Management and Budget published a notice yesterday on their RegInfo.gov web site yesterday noting that they had received the EPA’s final rule for the 2011 Critical Use Exemption from the Phaseout of Methyl Bromide. Publication of this final rule is necessary to authorize the production and use of methyl bromide during the 2011 planting and harvest seasons; OOOPS too late.

Actually readers will remember that I noted when the NPRM was published for this rule back in late April that it was already too late to legally authorize the production for 2011, but EPA had given the okay on the down low for that production. Hopefully, OMB will quickly approve this rule so that it can be published in time for the 2012 season. No, that’s right we need another rule for that year. I hope that EPA has already started work on that one.

Finally, wait for it, here is my standard pleas for DHS to rethink their removal of methyl bromide from the CFATS Appendix A list of DHS Chemicals of Interest. It is fairly obvious that EPA has little hope of actually phasing out this toxic inhalation hazard chemical any time soon.