Specifications for Primary Underground Power Cable, 50081-50084 [E7-17194]
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50081
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 72, No. 168
Thursday, August 30, 2007
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 Part 1728
RIN AC11
Specifications for Primary
Underground Power Cable
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an
agency delivering the United States
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)
Rural Development Utilities Programs,
hereinafter referred to as Rural
Development and/or the Agency,
proposes to amend its regulations
regarding Bulletin 50–70 (U–1) for
electric distribution specifications for 15
kV and 25 kV primary underground
power cable. This proposed rule is
necessary to provide Agency electric
borrowers with updated specifications
for 15 kV and 25 kV underground power
cable, and to provide borrowers with
specifications for 35 kV underground
power cable for use in 25 kV primary
systems. These specifications cover
single-phase and multi-phase primary
underground power cable which
Agency electric borrowers use to
construct their rural underground
electric distribution systems.
DATES: Written comments must be
received by the Agency or bear a
postmark or equivalent no later than
October 29, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit 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 and, in the
lower ‘‘Search Regulations and Federal
Actions’’ box, select ‘‘Rural Utilities
Service’’ from the agency drop-down
menu, then click on ‘‘Submit.’’ In the
Docket ID column, select RUS–07–
Electric–0009 to submit or view public
comments and to view supporting and
related materials available
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13:11 Aug 29, 2007
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electronically. Information on using
Regulations.gov, including instructions
for accessing documents, submitting
comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is
available through the site’s ‘‘User Tips’’
link.
• Postal Mail: Addressed to Michele
L. Brooks, Acting Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis,
USDA Rural Development, Utilities
Programs, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington,
DC 20250–1522.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed
to Michele L. Brooks, Acting Director,
Program Development and Regulatory
Analysis, USDA Rural Development,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5168
South Building, Washington, DC 20250–
1522.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and the
subject heading ‘‘Primary Underground
Power Cable.’’ 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 change to https://
www.usda.gov/rus/index2/
Comments.htm, including any personal
information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Trung V. Hiu, Electrical Engineer,
Electric Staff Division, Distribution
Branch, Utilities Program, USDA Rural
Development, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 1262–S, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–1569.
Telephone: (202) 720–1877. Fax: (202)
720–7491. E-mail:
Trung.Hiu@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Activities Excluded from Executive
Order 12372,’’ (50 FR 47034) exempted
USDA Rural Development Utilities
Program loans and loan guarantees to
from coverage under this order.
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule is exempted from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) review for purposes of Executive
Order 12866 and, therefore, has not
been reviewed by OMB.
Information Collection and
Recordkeeping Requirements
This proposed rule contains no
additional information collection or
recordkeeping requirements approval
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Executive Order 12372
This proposed rule is excluded from
the scope of Executive Order 12372,
Intergovernmental Consultation, which
may require consultation with State and
local officials. A notice of final rule
entitled ‘‘Department Programs and
PO 00000
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Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule has been reviewed
under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. USDA Rural
Development has determined that this
proposed rule meets the applicable
standards provided in section 3 of the
Executive Order. In addition, all state
and local laws and regulations that are
in conflict with this rule will be
preempted. No retroactive effect will be
given to this rule and in accordance
with section 212(e) of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994
(7 U.S.C. 6912(e)) administrative appeal
procedures, if any, must be exhausted
before an action against the Department
or its agencies may be initiated.
Executive Order 13132
This proposed rule will not have
substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Under Executive
Order 13132, this rule does not have
sufficient federalism implications to
require preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
USDA Rural Development has been
determined that the Regulatory
Flexibility Act is not applicable to this
rule since USDA Rural Development is
not required by 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. or
any other provision of the law to
publish a notice of proposed rulemaking
with request to the subject matter of this
rule.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The program described by this
proposed rule is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance Programs
under No. 10.850, Rural Electrification
Loans and Loan Guarantees. This
E:\FR\FM\30AUP1.SGM
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50082
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 168 / Thursday, August 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules
catalog is available on a subscription
basis from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402–9325,
telephone number (202) 512–1800.
environmental impact statement or
assessment.
Background
Executive Order 12372
This proposed rule is excluded from
the scope of Executive Order 12372,
Intergovernmental Consultation, which
may require consultation with State and
local officials. See the final rule related
notice titled ‘‘Department Programs and
Activities Excluded from Executive
Order 12372’’ (50 FR 47034), advising
that USDA Rural Development Utilities
Programs loans and loan guarantees are
excluded from the scope of Executive
Order 12372.
Unfunded Mandates
This proposed rule contains no
Federal Mandates (under the regulatory
provision of title II of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 [2 U.S.C.
Chapter 25]) for State, local, and tribal
governments or the private sector. Thus,
this proposed rule is not subject to the
requirements of sections 202 and 205 of
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995.
National Environmental Policy Act
Certification
USDA Rural Development has
determined that this proposed rule will
not significantly affect the quality of the
human environment as defined by the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Therefore,
this action does not require an
Pursuant to the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901
et seq.), the Agency is proposing to
amend Title 7 CFR Chapter XVII, Part
1728, Electric Standards and
Specifications for Materials and
Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin
50–70 (U–1), ‘‘Specifications for 15 kV
and 25 kV Primary Underground Power
Cable.’’ This revised bulletin will be
renumbered and renamed Bulletin
1728F–U1, ‘‘Specification for Primary
Underground Power Cable.’’ The
proposed action would continue to
incorporate the revised bulletin by
reference in 7 CFR 1728.97 and RUS
Bulletin 50–70 (U–1) would be
rescinded and removed from the list in
7 CFR 1728.97. The change in the
bulletin number and reformatting is
necessary to conform to current
publications and directives system. The
Agency maintains a system of bulletins
that contain construction standards and
specifications for materials and
equipment which must be complied
with when system facilities are
constructed by electric and
telecommunications borrowers in
accordance with the loan contract.
These standards and specifications
contain standard construction units and
material items and equipment units
commonly used in electric and
telecommunications borrowers’ systems.
Bulletin 50–70 (U–1) provides
standard requirements for 15 kV and 25
kV single-phase and multi-phase
primary underground power cable with
cross-linked polyethylene with tree
retardant or ethylene propylene rubber
insulation, concentric neutral, and
insulating outer jacket. The Agency
proposes to update the specifications for
15 kV and 25 kV primary underground
cable while adding specifications for 35
kV primary underground power cable.
The following changes and updating
of Bulletin 50–70 (U–1) are proposed:
1. Water blocking sealant would be
required in all stranded conductor
cables.
2. The plain cross-linked
polyethylene (XLP) would be removed
and be replaced by tree-retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR–XLPE) as an
acceptable insulation material.
3. Nominal insulation thickness on 25
kV cable would be reduced from 345
mils to 260 mils.
4. An optional semi-conducting
jacketing material would be added to
the specification for cables of all three
specified voltages. Cables with semiconducting jackets may be used by
USDA Rural Development borrowers in
areas with soil resistivity greater than 25
ohm-meter, in lieu of using cables with
an insulating jacket to help improve the
effectiveness of system grounding in
locations of high soil resistivity.
The following table summarizes all of
the changes and contains a cross walk
between the format of the current
bulletin and the new proposed bulletin:
RUS SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRIMARY UNDERGROUND POWER CABLE
[Summary of proposed changes]
Proposed new
location
Bulletin
1728F–U1
(new numbering
system)
Action taken
Proposed content change
N/A .........................
1.a Summary .........
New addition .........
N/A .........................
1.b Principal Revisions.
2.a General Specifications.
New addition .........
Identifies new title and number for REA Bulletin 50–70(U–a) and updates the
superseded reference.
Lists the principal changes made in the reissued and renumbered bulletin.
1.1.1 Scope ............
1.1.2 .......................
1.1.3 .......................
1.1.4 .......................
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
Existing section
Bulletin 50–70 (U–
1)
(old numbering system)
2.b ..........................
2.c ..........................
2.d ..........................
No change ............
Modified ................
Modified ................
1.1.5 .......................
2.d ..........................
2. ............................
3.a ..........................
No substantive
change.
Modified ................
N/A .........................
3.b(1), b(2) .............
New .......................
3.3.1 .......................
4.a ..........................
No change ............
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States the revised scope to add 35 kV rated cable and semiconducting jacket
to the existing 15 and 25 kV specifications. Removes XLPE as an acceptable insulation material. Removes reference to 13.2/7.62 kV power cables.
Adds conductor size for 35 kV cable.
Updates reference to the renamed industry standard reference for material
specifications (this comment pertains to all such references throughout Bulletin 1728F–U1).
Updates reference to renamed industry standard references.
Updates references to renamed industry standard references for material
specifications. Incorporates additional material specifications added to the
industry standard reference since the last publication of this bulletin.
Provides information to reader on where to obtain industry standard references incorporated in this bulletin.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 168 / Thursday, August 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules
50083
RUS SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRIMARY UNDERGROUND POWER CABLE—Continued
[Summary of proposed changes]
Proposed new
location
Bulletin
1728F–U1
(new numbering
system)
Action taken
3.3.2 .......................
3. 3.2.1 ...................
3.3.3.1 ....................
3.3.3.2 ....................
4.b ..........................
4.b ..........................
4.c(1) ......................
4.c(2) ......................
Modified ................
Modified ................
No change ............
Modified ................
3.3.4 .......................
4.c(3) ......................
Modified ................
N/A .........................
4.c(4) ......................
Added ....................
4.4.1 .......................
5.a ..........................
5.5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3
6.a ..........................
No substantive
change.
Modified ................
5.2 ..........................
6.b ..........................
Modified ................
6.6.1 .......................
6.6.2 .......................
7.a ..........................
................................
No change ............
Deleted ..................
6.6.3 .......................
6.6.4 .......................
7.b ..........................
7.c ..........................
No change ............
Modified ................
6.6.5 .......................
7.7.1 .......................
7.d ..........................
8.a ..........................
No change ............
Modified ................
7.7.2 .......................
7.7.3 .......................
................................
8.a ..........................
Deleted ..................
...............................
7.7.4 .......................
8.b ..........................
8.8.1 .......................
8.8.1.1 ....................
9.a ..........................
9.a(1) ......................
8.8.1.2 ....................
9.a(2) ......................
No substantive
change.
Modified ................
No substantive
change.
No substantive
change.
8.2 ..........................
8.3 ..........................
9.1 ..........................
10.1 ........................
................................
9.b ..........................
10. ..........................
11.a ........................
10.1.1 .....................
10.1.2 .....................
10.1.3 .....................
10.2 ........................
11.a(1) ....................
11.a(2) ....................
11.a(3) ....................
11.b ........................
10.2.1 .....................
10.2.2 .....................
10.3 ........................
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
Existing section
Bulletin 50–70 (U–
1)
(old numbering system)
11.b(1) ....................
11.b(2) ....................
11.c ........................
Deleted ..................
No change ............
No change ............
No substantive
change.
No change ............
No change ............
No change ............
No substantive
change.
No change ............
No change ............
Modified ................
10.3.1 .....................
10.3.2 .....................
11.c(1) ....................
11.c(2) ....................
No change ............
Modified ................
10.4 ........................
10.5 ........................
11.d ........................
................................
No change ............
Deleted ..................
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Proposed content change
Adds combination unilay stranded phase conductors.
Adds combination unilay stranded phase conductors.
Adds compact round concentric-lay-stranded phase conductors and combination unilay stranded aluminum phase conductors.
Changes the acceptable filler for interstices between strands of stranded conductors from ‘‘conductive’’ material to ‘‘material designed to fill the interstices,’’ adds requirement that the surfaces of the strands that form the
outer surface of the stranded conductor shall be free of the fill material.
Adds testing requirement for compatibility of the strand fill material and
water penetration.
Requires the solid conductor and center strand of stranded conductors to be
indented at fixed interval with the name of manufacturer and year of manufacture.
Removes XLPE as an acceptable insulation material. Conforms references to
industry standard references.
Maintains 220 mils as the nominal allowed insulation thickness on 15 kV
cable, reduces the allowed insulation nominal thickness from 345 mils to
260 mils on 25 kV cable and establishes nominal insulation thickness of
345 mils on 35 kV cable.
Removes specific test requirement for sunlight exposure and atmospheric
conditions. There is no current test reference available.
Specifies specific stripping tension values in lieu of cross referencing industry
standards.
Adds requirement that concentric neutral wires shall remain in continuous intimate contact with the extruded insulation shield.
Adds full neutral requirement for single phase and 1⁄3 neutral requirement for
three phase applications. Establishes minimum wire size of 16 AWG for the
concentric neutral.
Adds semi-conducting outer jacket.
Adds requirement that the jacket material shall have three red stripes longitudinally extruded into the jacket surface 120 degrees apart.
Adds medium density and high density HMW black polyethylene compound.
Specifies that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)
jackets are not acceptable.
Eliminates affirmative requirements to submit data to REA.
Clarifies that the tests in this section 11c are to be performed on cable jackets from the same production sample as is subjected to tests specified in
section 11b.
Prescribes the same test voltage (4.5kV AC) for cable diameters less than or
equal to 1.5 inches and sets a test voltage of 7.0 kV for cable diameters
greater than 1.5 inches.
Removes measurement requirement that is implicit in other sections of the
bulletin.
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50084
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 168 / Thursday, August 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules
RUS SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRIMARY UNDERGROUND POWER CABLE—Continued
[Summary of proposed changes]
Existing section
Bulletin 50–70 (U–
1)
(old numbering system)
Proposed new
location
Bulletin
1728F–U1
(new numbering
system)
Action taken
Proposed content change
10.6 ........................
11.e ........................
Added ....................
11.1 ........................
12.a ........................
Modified ................
11.2 ........................
12.b ........................
Modified ................
N/A .........................
12.c ........................
Added ....................
11.3 ........................
12.d ........................
No substantive
change.
Adds provision that certified copies of all tests results performed pursuant to
this renumbered section 11 shall be provided on request of the borrower for
all orders.
Clarifies with greater specificity markings that are considered suitable on the
outer surface of the jacket.
Adds requirement that each end of the cable shall be firmly and properly secured to the reel.
Adds requirement that reels are to be covered with a suitable covering to help
protect the cable.
Provides that the beginning and ending sequential footage numbers are to be
included on the label regardless of whether they are marked on the cable
jacket.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1728
Electric power, Loan programs—
energy, Rural areas.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, 7 CFR part 1728 is proposed
to be amended as follows:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R01–OAR–2007–0373; A–1–FRL–
8461–4]
PART 1728—ELECTRIC STANDARDS
AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans;
Connecticut; Establishment of Interim
Progress for the Fine Particle National
Ambient Air Quality Standard
1. The authority citation for part 1728
continues to read as follows:
AGENCY:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 7 U.S.C.
1921 et seq.; 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.
2. Section 1728.97(b) is amended by
removing the entry for RUS Bulletin 50–
70, and adding to the list of bulletins,
in numerical order, the entry for
Bulletin 1728F–U1 to read as follows:
§ 1729.97 Incorporation by reference of
electric standards and specifications.
*
*
*
*
(b) List of bulletins.
*
*
*
*
*
Bulletin 1728F–U1, Specifications for
Primary Underground Power Cable,
[Insert month and year of effective date
of final rule].
*
*
*
*
*
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with PROPOSALS
*
Dated: August 23, 2007.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E7–17194 Filed 8–29–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
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Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to
approve a State Implementation Plan
(SIP) revision submitted by the State of
Connecticut. This revision proposes to
establish early fine particulate (PM2.5)
transportation conformity emission
budgets for the Connecticut portion of
the New York-Northern New JerseyLong Island, NY–NJ–CT PM2.5
nonattainment area. This action is being
taken under the Clean Air Act.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before October 1, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R01–
OAR–2007–0373 by one of the following
methods:
1. https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. E-mail: arnold.anne@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (617) 918–0047.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R01–OAR–2007–
0373’’, Anne Arnold, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
New England Regional Office, One
Congress Street, Suite 1100 (mail code
CAQ), Boston, MA 02114–2023.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver
your comments to: Anne Arnold,
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Manager, Air Quality Planning Unit,
Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA
New England Regional Office, One
Congress Street, 11th floor, (CAQ),
Boston, MA 02114–2023. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of
operation. The Regional Office’s official
hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding legal
holidays.
Please see the direct final rule which
is located in the Rules Section of this
Federal Register for detailed
instructions on how to submit
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donald O. Cooke, Air Quality Planning
Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, EPA New England Regional
Office, One Congress Street, Suite 1100
(CAQ), Boston, MA 02114–2023,
telephone number (617) 918–1668, fax
number (617) 918–0668, e-mail
cooke.donald@epa.gov.
In the
Final Rules Section of this Federal
Register, EPA is approving the State’s
SIP submittal as a direct final rule
without prior proposal because the
Agency views this as a noncontroversial
submittal and anticipates no adverse
comments. A detailed rationale for the
approval is set forth in the direct final
rule. If no adverse comments are
received in response to this action rule,
no further activity is contemplated. If
EPA receives adverse comments, the
direct final rule will be withdrawn and
all public comments received will be
addressed in a subsequent final rule
based on this proposed rule. EPA will
not institute a second comment period.
Any parties interested in commenting
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 168 (Thursday, August 30, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50081-50084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17194]
========================================================================
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. 72, No. 168 / Thursday, August 30, 2007 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 50081]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1728
RIN AC11
Specifications for Primary Underground Power Cable
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United
States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities
Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the
Agency, proposes to amend its regulations regarding Bulletin 50-70 (U-
1) for electric distribution specifications for 15 kV and 25 kV primary
underground power cable. This proposed rule is necessary to provide
Agency electric borrowers with updated specifications for 15 kV and 25
kV underground power cable, and to provide borrowers with
specifications for 35 kV underground power cable for use in 25 kV
primary systems. These specifications cover single-phase and multi-
phase primary underground power cable which Agency electric borrowers
use to construct their rural underground electric distribution systems.
DATES: Written comments must be received by the Agency or bear a
postmark or equivalent no later than October 29, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit 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 and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal
Actions'' box, select ``Rural Utilities Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select
RUS-07-Electric-0009 to submit or view public comments and to view
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips''
link.
Postal Mail: Addressed to Michele L. Brooks, Acting
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural
Development, Utilities Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Michele L. Brooks,
Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA
Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 5168 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and the subject heading ``Primary Underground Power Cable.'' 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 change to https://www.usda.gov/
rus/index2/Comments.htm, including any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Trung V. Hiu, Electrical Engineer,
Electric Staff Division, Distribution Branch, Utilities Program, USDA
Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 1262-S, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1569. Telephone: (202)
720-1877. Fax: (202) 720-7491. E-mail: Trung.Hiu@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule is exempted from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) review for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and,
therefore, has not been reviewed by OMB.
Executive Order 12372
This proposed rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation
with State and local officials. A notice of final rule entitled
``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order
12372,'' (50 FR 47034) exempted USDA Rural Development Utilities
Program loans and loan guarantees to from coverage under this order.
Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,
Civil Justice Reform. USDA Rural Development has determined that this
proposed rule meets the applicable standards provided in section 3 of
the Executive Order. In addition, all state and local laws and
regulations that are in conflict with this rule will be preempted. No
retroactive effect will be given to this rule and in accordance with
section 212(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912(e)) administrative appeal procedures, if any, must
be exhausted before an action against the Department or its agencies
may be initiated.
Executive Order 13132
This proposed rule will not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Under Executive Order 13132, this rule
does not have sufficient federalism implications to require preparation
of a Federalism Assessment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
USDA Rural Development has been determined that the Regulatory
Flexibility Act is not applicable to this rule since USDA Rural
Development is not required by 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. or any other
provision of the law to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking with
request to the subject matter of this rule.
Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements
This proposed rule contains no additional information collection or
recordkeeping requirements approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The program described by this proposed rule is listed in the
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.850, Rural
Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees. This
[[Page 50082]]
catalog is available on a subscription basis from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325,
telephone number (202) 512-1800.
Executive Order 12372
This proposed rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation
with State and local officials. See the final rule related notice
titled ``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive
Order 12372'' (50 FR 47034), advising that USDA Rural Development
Utilities Programs loans and loan guarantees are excluded from the
scope of Executive Order 12372.
Unfunded Mandates
This proposed rule contains no Federal Mandates (under the
regulatory provision of title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995 [2 U.S.C. Chapter 25]) for State, local, and tribal governments or
the private sector. Thus, this proposed rule is not subject to the
requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995.
National Environmental Policy Act Certification
USDA Rural Development has determined that this proposed rule will
not significantly affect the quality of the human environment as
defined by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.). Therefore, this action does not require an environmental
impact statement or assessment.
Background
Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7
U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the Agency is proposing to amend Title 7 CFR
Chapter XVII, Part 1728, Electric Standards and Specifications for
Materials and Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin 50-70 (U-1),
``Specifications for 15 kV and 25 kV Primary Underground Power Cable.''
This revised bulletin will be renumbered and renamed Bulletin 1728F-U1,
``Specification for Primary Underground Power Cable.'' The proposed
action would continue to incorporate the revised bulletin by reference
in 7 CFR 1728.97 and RUS Bulletin 50-70 (U-1) would be rescinded and
removed from the list in 7 CFR 1728.97. The change in the bulletin
number and reformatting is necessary to conform to current publications
and directives system. The Agency maintains a system of bulletins that
contain construction standards and specifications for materials and
equipment which must be complied with when system facilities are
constructed by electric and telecommunications borrowers in accordance
with the loan contract. These standards and specifications contain
standard construction units and material items and equipment units
commonly used in electric and telecommunications borrowers' systems.
Bulletin 50-70 (U-1) provides standard requirements for 15 kV and
25 kV single-phase and multi-phase primary underground power cable with
cross-linked polyethylene with tree retardant or ethylene propylene
rubber insulation, concentric neutral, and insulating outer jacket. The
Agency proposes to update the specifications for 15 kV and 25 kV
primary underground cable while adding specifications for 35 kV primary
underground power cable.
The following changes and updating of Bulletin 50-70 (U-1) are
proposed:
1. Water blocking sealant would be required in all stranded
conductor cables.
2. The plain cross-linked polyethylene (XLP) would be removed and
be replaced by tree-retardant cross-linked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) as an
acceptable insulation material.
3. Nominal insulation thickness on 25 kV cable would be reduced
from 345 mils to 260 mils.
4. An optional semi-conducting jacketing material would be added to
the specification for cables of all three specified voltages. Cables
with semi-conducting jackets may be used by USDA Rural Development
borrowers in areas with soil resistivity greater than 25 ohm-meter, in
lieu of using cables with an insulating jacket to help improve the
effectiveness of system grounding in locations of high soil
resistivity.
The following table summarizes all of the changes and contains a
cross walk between the format of the current bulletin and the new
proposed bulletin:
RUS Specifications for Primary Underground Power Cable
[Summary of proposed changes]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed new location
Existing section Bulletin 50-70 (U- Bulletin 1728F-U1 Action taken Proposed content change
1) (old numbering system) (new numbering system)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/A................................ 1.a Summary........... New addition.......... Identifies new title and
number for REA Bulletin 50-
70(U-a) and updates the
superseded reference.
N/A................................ 1.b Principal New addition.......... Lists the principal changes
Revisions. made in the reissued and
renumbered bulletin.
1.1.1 Scope........................ 2.a General Modified.............. States the revised scope to
Specifications. add 35 kV rated cable and
semiconducting jacket to
the existing 15 and 25 kV
specifications. Removes
XLPE as an acceptable
insulation material.
Removes reference to 13.2/
7.62 kV power cables.
1.1.2.............................. 2.b................... No change............. ...........................
1.1.3.............................. 2.c................... Modified.............. Adds conductor size for 35
kV cable.
1.1.4.............................. 2.d................... Modified.............. Updates reference to the
renamed industry standard
reference for material
specifications (this
comment pertains to all
such references throughout
Bulletin 1728F-U1).
1.1.5.............................. 2.d................... No substantive change. Updates reference to
renamed industry standard
references.
2.................................. 3.a................... Modified.............. Updates references to
renamed industry standard
references for material
specifications.
Incorporates additional
material specifications
added to the industry
standard reference since
the last publication of
this bulletin.
N/A................................ 3.b(1), b(2).......... New................... Provides information to
reader on where to obtain
industry standard
references incorporated in
this bulletin.
3.3.1.............................. 4.a................... No change............. ...........................
[[Page 50083]]
3.3.2.............................. 4.b................... Modified.............. Adds combination unilay
stranded phase conductors.
3. 3.2.1........................... 4.b................... Modified.............. Adds combination unilay
stranded phase conductors.
3.3.3.1............................ 4.c(1)................ No change............. ...........................
3.3.3.2............................ 4.c(2)................ Modified.............. Adds compact round
concentric-lay-stranded
phase conductors and
combination unilay
stranded aluminum phase
conductors.
3.3.4.............................. 4.c(3)................ Modified.............. Changes the acceptable
filler for interstices
between strands of
stranded conductors from
``conductive'' material to
``material designed to
fill the interstices,''
adds requirement that the
surfaces of the strands
that form the outer
surface of the stranded
conductor shall be free of
the fill material. Adds
testing requirement for
compatibility of the
strand fill material and
water penetration.
N/A................................ 4.c(4)................ Added................. Requires the solid
conductor and center
strand of stranded
conductors to be indented
at fixed interval with the
name of manufacturer and
year of manufacture.
4.4.1.............................. 5.a................... No substantive change. ...........................
5.5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3.............. 6.a................... Modified.............. Removes XLPE as an
acceptable insulation
material. Conforms
references to industry
standard references.
5.2................................ 6.b................... Modified.............. Maintains 220 mils as the
nominal allowed insulation
thickness on 15 kV cable,
reduces the allowed
insulation nominal
thickness from 345 mils to
260 mils on 25 kV cable
and establishes nominal
insulation thickness of
345 mils on 35 kV cable.
6.6.1.............................. 7.a................... No change............. ...........................
6.6.2.............................. ...................... Deleted............... Removes specific test
requirement for sunlight
exposure and atmospheric
conditions. There is no
current test reference
available.
6.6.3.............................. 7.b................... No change............. ...........................
6.6.4.............................. 7.c................... Modified.............. Specifies specific
stripping tension values
in lieu of cross
referencing industry
standards.
6.6.5.............................. 7.d................... No change............. ...........................
7.7.1.............................. 8.a................... Modified.............. Adds requirement that
concentric neutral wires
shall remain in continuous
intimate contact with the
extruded insulation
shield.
7.7.2.............................. ...................... Deleted............... ...........................
7.7.3.............................. 8.a................... ...................... Adds full neutral
requirement for single
phase and \1/3\ neutral
requirement for three
phase applications.
Establishes minimum wire
size of 16 AWG for the
concentric neutral.
7.7.4.............................. 8.b................... No substantive change. ...........................
8.8.1.............................. 9.a................... Modified.............. Adds semi-conducting outer
jacket.
8.8.1.1............................ 9.a(1)................ No substantive change. Adds requirement that the
jacket material shall have
three red stripes
longitudinally extruded
into the jacket surface
120 degrees apart.
8.8.1.2............................ 9.a(2)................ No substantive change. Adds medium density and
high density HMW black
polyethylene compound.
Specifies that polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and
chlorinated polyethylene
(CPE) jackets are not
acceptable.
8.2................................ ...................... Deleted............... ...........................
8.3................................ 9.b................... No change............. ...........................
9.1................................ 10.................... No change............. ...........................
10.1............................... 11.a.................. No substantive change. ...........................
10.1.1............................. 11.a(1)............... No change............. ...........................
10.1.2............................. 11.a(2)............... No change............. ...........................
10.1.3............................. 11.a(3)............... No change............. ...........................
10.2............................... 11.b.................. No substantive change. Eliminates affirmative
requirements to submit
data to REA.
10.2.1............................. 11.b(1)............... No change............. ...........................
10.2.2............................. 11.b(2)............... No change............. ...........................
10.3............................... 11.c.................. Modified.............. Clarifies that the tests in
this section 11c are to be
performed on cable jackets
from the same production
sample as is subjected to
tests specified in section
11b.
10.3.1............................. 11.c(1)............... No change............. ...........................
10.3.2............................. 11.c(2)............... Modified.............. Prescribes the same test
voltage (4.5kV AC) for
cable diameters less than
or equal to 1.5 inches and
sets a test voltage of 7.0
kV for cable diameters
greater than 1.5 inches.
10.4............................... 11.d.................. No change............. ...........................
10.5............................... ...................... Deleted............... Removes measurement
requirement that is
implicit in other sections
of the bulletin.
[[Page 50084]]
10.6............................... 11.e.................. Added................. Adds provision that
certified copies of all
tests results performed
pursuant to this
renumbered section 11
shall be provided on
request of the borrower
for all orders.
11.1............................... 12.a.................. Modified.............. Clarifies with greater
specificity markings that
are considered suitable on
the outer surface of the
jacket.
11.2............................... 12.b.................. Modified.............. Adds requirement that each
end of the cable shall be
firmly and properly
secured to the reel.
N/A................................ 12.c.................. Added................. Adds requirement that reels
are to be covered with a
suitable covering to help
protect the cable.
11.3............................... 12.d.................. No substantive change. Provides that the beginning
and ending sequential
footage numbers are to be
included on the label
regardless of whether they
are marked on the cable
jacket.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1728
Electric power, Loan programs--energy, Rural areas.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR part 1728 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1728--ELECTRIC STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND
CONSTRUCTION
1. The authority citation for part 1728 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.; 7 U.S.C.
6941 et seq.
2. Section 1728.97(b) is amended by removing the entry for RUS
Bulletin 50-70, and adding to the list of bulletins, in numerical
order, the entry for Bulletin 1728F-U1 to read as follows:
Sec. 1729.97 Incorporation by reference of electric standards and
specifications.
* * * * *
(b) List of bulletins.
* * * * *
Bulletin 1728F-U1, Specifications for Primary Underground Power
Cable, [Insert month and year of effective date of final rule].
* * * * *
Dated: August 23, 2007.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17194 Filed 8-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
