On April 1, 2009, and in response to public comments and the Office of Management and Budget’s January 21, 2009 memorandum regarding regulatory review, EPA published its delay of the effective date of the December 5, 2008, Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (“SPCC”) final rule. The December amendments will now become effective on January 14, 2010.

The December 2008 amendments clarified regulatory requirements, tailored requirements to particular industry sectors, and streamlined certain requirements for facility owners or operators subject to the rule. According to EPA, the April 1, 2009, rule has no impact on the compliance date for SPCC. The current compliance date for SPCC is July 1, 2009.

In addition to delaying the effective date, EPA is requesting public comment on whether a further delay of the effective date may be warranted. Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2009. For more information, please visit here.