Electric Program: Definition of Rural Area, 56569 [E9-26206]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Utilities Service

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 210 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 56569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26206]


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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.

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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 210 / Monday, November 2, 2009 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 56569]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1710

RIN 0572-AC15


Electric Program: Definition of Rural Area

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is amending its regulations 
to administer the Electric Program. This action implements the 
provision in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 hereinafter 
called the ``2008 Farm Bill,'' amending the definition of ``rural 
area.'' The 2008 Farm Bill revises the definition of rural to include 
any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a 
population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants. The 2008 Farm Bill also 
includes in the revised rural definition those service areas of 
borrowers having an outstanding loan under Title I through V of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936. The intended effect is to update 
agency regulations to reflect current statutory authority. No adverse 
comments are expected.
    In the final rule section of the Federal Register, the Agency is 
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal 
because RUS views this as a non-controversial action and expects 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 the Agency receives adverse comments, a timely 
document will be published withdrawing the direct final rule, and all 
public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule 
based on this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by RUS or 
carry a postmark or equivalent no later than December 2, 2009.

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. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-09-
Electric-0002, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to 
find documents accepting comments or submissions,'' and click on the 
GO>> key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission,'' 
under the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the 
information requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form,'' 
must be completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when 
the search returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the 
yellow balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form.'') 
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 ``How 
to Use this Site'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment 
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room, 5159, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. RUS-09-Electric-0002.

Other Information: Additional information about RUS and its programs is 
available at: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Tuttle, Economist, Electric 
Programs, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Rural Development, 1400 
Independence Avenue, STOP 1570, Room 5038 South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-1570. Telephone: (202) 205-3655; FAX: (202) 690-0717; e-mail: 
chris.tuttle@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided 
in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations direct 
final rule section of the Federal Register for the applicable 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION on this action.

Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9-26206 Filed 10-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P