Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities, 5382 [05-1879]

Download as PDF 5382 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 21 Wednesday, February 2, 2005 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service 7 CFR Parts 1700 and 1709 RIN 0572–AB91 Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing regulations implementing its financial assistance programs for rural communities with extremely high energy costs. These programs are authorized under section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 918a). This proposed rule is intended to establish and clarify eligibility and application requirements, the review and approval process, and grant administration procedures for RUS grants to rural communities with extremely high energy costs and for grants to State entities for bulk fuel revolving loan funds. This publication of these rules will assure timely and effective distribution of grant funds to eligible rural communities and state entities. In the final rule section of this Federal Register, RUS is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because RUS views this as a non-controversial action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed rule and the action will become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, RUS will publish a timely notice withdrawing the direct final rule based on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this proposed action should do so at this time. DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before March 4, 2005. VerDate jul<14>2003 11:04 Feb 01, 2005 Jkt 205001 Submit your adverse comments or notice of intent to submit adverse comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instruction for submitting comments. • Agency Web site: https://www. usda.;gov/rus/index2.Comments.htm. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: RUSComments@usda.gov. Include in the subject line of the message ‘‘7 CFR 1700 and 1709.’’ • Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250–1522. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5168–S, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Instructions: RUS requests a signed original and three copies of all written comments (7 CFR 1700.4). Comments may also be submitted by e-mail at RUSComments@usda.gov and must contain the phrase ‘‘High Cost Energy Grants’’ in the subject line. All comments received must identify the name of the individual (and the name of the entity, if applicable) who is submitting the comment. All comments received will be posted without changes to https://www.usda.gov. rus.index2.Comments.htm, including any personal information provided. All comments will also be available for public inspection during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Larsen, Management Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Electric Program, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1560, Room 5165–S, Washington, DC 20250– 1560. Telephone (202) 720–9545, Fax (202) 690–0717, e-mail address: Karen.Larsen@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Supplementary Information provided in the direct final rule located in the final rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this section. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Dated: January 13, 2005. Hilda Gay Legg, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 05–1879 Filed 2–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 11 CFR Parts 109 and 300 [Notice 2005–3] Definition of ‘‘Agent’’ for BCRA Regulations on Non-Federal Funds or Soft Money and Coordinated and Independent Expenditures Federal Election Commission. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Federal Election Commission requests comments on the proposed revision of the definition of ‘‘agent’’ for its regulations on coordinated and independent expenditures, and non-Federal funds, which are commonly referred to as ‘‘soft money.’’ Current Commission regulations define agent as ‘‘any person who has actual authority, either express or implied’’ to perform certain actions. This definition does not include persons acting only with apparent authority. The Commission’s regulations defining agent were challenged in Shays v. FEC. The District Court held that the Commission’s definitions of agent did not necessarily run contrary to Congress’s intent and were based on a permissible construction of the statute. However, the court also held that the Commission had not provided adequate explanation of its decision to exclude from the definition of agent persons acting only with apparent authority and therefore had not satisfied the reasoned analysis requirement of the Administrative Procedures Act. The court remanded the regulations to the Commission for further action consistent with the court’s opinion. Accordingly, in order to comply with the court’s decision, the Commission now revisits the definition of agent by issuing this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. No final decision has been made by the Commission on the issues presented in this rulemaking. Further information is provided in the supplementary information that follows. DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 4, 2005. If the E:\FR\FM\02FEP1.SGM 02FEP1

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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1879]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 2, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 5382]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1700 and 1709

RIN 0572-AB91


Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing regulations 
implementing its financial assistance programs for rural communities 
with extremely high energy costs. These programs are authorized under 
section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 918a). This proposed rule is intended to establish and clarify 
eligibility and application requirements, the review and approval 
process, and grant administration procedures for RUS grants to rural 
communities with extremely high energy costs and for grants to State 
entities for bulk fuel revolving loan funds. This publication of these 
rules will assure timely and effective distribution of grant funds to 
eligible rural communities and state entities. In the final rule 
section of this Federal Register, RUS is publishing this action as a 
direct final rule without prior proposal because RUS views this as a 
non-controversial action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no 
adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no 
further action will be taken on this proposed rule and the action will 
become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If RUS 
receives adverse comments, RUS will publish a timely notice withdrawing 
the direct final rule based on this action. Any parties interested in 
commenting on this proposed action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before 
March 4, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit your adverse comments or notice of intent to submit 
adverse comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instruction for submitting 
comments.
     Agency Web site: https://www. usda.;gov/rus/index2. 
Comments.htm. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: RUSComments@usda.gov. Include in the subject line 
of the message ``7 CFR 1700 and 1709.''
     Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting 
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 5168-S, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    Instructions: RUS requests a signed original and three copies of 
all written comments (7 CFR 1700.4). Comments may also be submitted by 
e-mail at RUSComments@usda.gov and must contain the phrase ``High Cost 
Energy Grants'' in the subject line. All comments received must 
identify the name of the individual (and the name of the entity, if 
applicable) who is submitting the comment. All comments received will 
be posted without changes to https://www.usda.gov. rus.index2.Comments.htm, including any personal information provided. 
All comments will also be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Larsen, Management Analyst, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Electric Program, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1560, Room 5165-S, Washington, DC 
20250-1560. Telephone (202) 720-9545, Fax (202) 690-0717, e-mail 
address: Karen.Larsen@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Supplementary Information provided 
in the direct final rule located in the final rule section of this 
Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this 
section.

    Dated: January 13, 2005.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1879 Filed 2-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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