Listening Session Regarding Notice of Funding Availability for Applications for Credit Assistance Under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program; Clarification of TIFIA Selection Criteria; and Request for Comments on Potential Implementation of Pilot Program To Accept Upfront Payments for the Entire Subsidy Cost of TIFIA Credit Assistance and TIFIA Reauthorization, 5169-5170 [2010-1966]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 20 / Monday, February 1, 2010 / Notices Issued on: January 26, 2010. Norman R. Stoner, P.E., Division Administrator, Springfield, Illinois. [FR Doc. 2010–2044 Filed 1–29–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA 2008–0032] Insurance Cost Information Regulation jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces publication by NHTSA of the 2008 text and data for the annual insurance cost information booklet that all car dealers must make available to prospective purchasers, pursuant to 49 CFR 582.4. This information is intended to assist prospective purchasers in comparing differences in passenger vehicle collision loss experience that could affect auto insurance costs. ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a copy of this booklet or read background documents by going to https://regulations.dot.gov at any time or to Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carlita Ballard, Office of International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Ballard’s telephone number is (202) 366–0846. Her fax number is (202) 493– 2990. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 201(e) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, 15 U.S.C. 1941(e), on March 5, 1993, 58 FR 12545, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) amended 49 CFR Part 582, Insurance Cost Information Regulation, to require all dealers of automobiles to distribute to prospective customers information that compares differences in insurance costs of different makes and models of passenger cars based on differences in damage susceptibility. Pursuant to 49 CFR 582.4, all automobile dealers are required to make available to prospective purchasers booklets that include this comparative information as well as certain mandatory explanatory text that is set out in section 582.5. Early each year, VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:35 Jan 29, 2010 Jkt 220001 NHTSA produces a new version of this booklet to update the Highway Loss Data Institute’s (HLDI) December Insurance Collision Report. NHTSA is mailing a copy of the 2008 booklet to each dealer that the Department of Energy uses to distribute the ‘‘Gas Mileage Guide.’’ Dealers will have the responsibility of reproducing a sufficient number of copies of the booklet to assure that they are available for retention by prospective purchasers by March 3, 2010. Dealers who do not receive a copy of the booklet within 15 days of the date of this notice should contact Ms. Ballard of NHTSA’s Office of International Policy, Fuel Economy, and Consumer Programs (202) 366–0846 to receive a copy of the booklet and to be added to the mailing list. Dealers may also obtain a copy of the booklet through the NHTSA Web page at: https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/. From there, click on the Laws/Regulations tab on the far right side at the top of the page. On the Laws/Regulations page, the Comparison of Insurance Costs is located under the heading Articles & Information. (49 U.S.C. 32302; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50(f).) Issued on: January 26, 2010. Stephen R. Kratzke, Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. [FR Doc. 2010–1956 Filed 1–29–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary of Transportation [Docket No. FHWA–2009–0123] Listening Session Regarding Notice of Funding Availability for Applications for Credit Assistance Under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program; Clarification of TIFIA Selection Criteria; and Request for Comments on Potential Implementation of Pilot Program To Accept Upfront Payments for the Entire Subsidy Cost of TIFIA Credit Assistance and TIFIA Reauthorization AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of listening session. SUMMARY: The DOT’s TIFIA Joint Program Office (JPO) announces a PO 00000 Frm 00137 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5169 listening session for the public to discuss the topics identified in the notice of funding availability (NOFA) published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 63497, that had an original deadline of December 31, 2009, and was later extended to March 1, 2010 (75 FR 506). This listening session will facilitate stakeholder feedback in a timely manner, consistent with the extension of the comment period and the March 1, 2010, deadline for comments to the docket. DATES: The DOT will conduct a listening session on Friday, February 12, 2010, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. e.t. ADDRESSES: The listening session will be held in the West Atrium of the U.S. Department of Transportation located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Due to security procedures and space limitations, participants will need to register online in advance using the following URL https:// www.housmanandassociates.com/ usdot/ to gain admittance to the meeting. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this notice please contact Oscar Bedolla via e-mail at TIFIACredit@dot.gov or via telephone at (202) 366–0368. A TDD is available at (202) 366–7687. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA–21), Public Law 105–178, 112 Stat.107, 241, (as amended by sections 1601–02 of Pub. L. 109–59) established the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998, authorizing the DOT to provide credit assistance in the form of secured (direct) loans, lines of credit, and loan guarantees to public and private applicants for eligible surface transportation projects. The TIFIA JPO, a component of the FHWA Office of Innovative Program Delivery, has responsibility for coordinating program implementation. In 2005, Congress enacted the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) (Pub. L. 109–59, 119 Stat. 1144), which made a number of amendments to TIFIA including lowering the thresholds and expanding eligibility for TIFIA credit assistance. Discussions regarding the pending reauthorization of the TIFIA program are anticipated in the coming months, and we are looking to stakeholders to provide feedback on potential program improvements for consideration during reauthorization discussions. E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 5170 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 20 / Monday, February 1, 2010 / Notices Because the demand for credit assistance now exceeds budgetary resources, it is no longer feasible for DOT to maintain, as it had since 2002, an open process whereby the TIFIA JPO accepted applications on a ‘‘first come, first serve’’ basis as defined by the optimal schedule of the applicant. Instead, the DOT is returning to periodic fixed-date solicitations that will establish a competitive group of projects to be evaluated against the TIFIA program objectives. The eight TIFIA selection criteria are described in statute at 23 U.S.C. 602(b) and assigned relative weights via regulation at 49 CFR 80.15. The criteria were restated in the December 3, 2009, Federal Register notice at 74 FR 63497 with, where appropriate, clarifying language that indicated how the DOT will interpret them. In general, these clarifications indicated the DOT’s desire to give priority to projects that have a significant impact on desirable longterm outcomes for the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. As detailed in the December 3, 2009, Federal Register notice, beginning in fiscal year 2008, the total credit requests from TIFIA applicants exceeded available resources. In response, the Department suspended consideration of new applications and reserved anticipated fiscal years 2009 and 2010 appropriations with the expectation that existing applicants would contribute to the Government’s cost of providing credit assistance. Several potential applicants, however, rather than waiting to compete for scarce TIFIA funds in fiscal year 2010 and beyond, have indicated an interest paying a fee to offset the entire budgetary cost to the Federal Government. As a result, the DOT announced that it is exploring the potential of implementing a pilot program under which the DOT would accept applications for projects where the borrowers are willing and able to pay a fee to offset the entire subsidy cost of TIFIA credit assistance. The purpose of this pilot program would be to extend credit, consistent with policy objectives, to qualified projects that DOT otherwise cannot provide TIFIA assistance merely due to insufficient budgetary resources. Finally, with the pending discussions regarding reauthorization of the TIFIA credit program, the DOT is soliciting stakeholder reauthorization proposals at this listening session regarding potential changes to improve the TIFIA program. II. Purpose of the Listening Session At the listening session, the DOT will receive the public’s feedback on the following four issues. VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:35 Jan 29, 2010 Jkt 220001 Because demand for the TIFIA program now exceeds budgetary resources, the DOT recently announced the suspension of the program’s open application process and the return to periodic fixed-date solicitations that will establish a competitive group of projects to be evaluated against program objectives. Additionally, the DOT provided new language clarifying its use of the TIFIA selection criteria, incorporating explicit consideration of these policy objectives: livability, economic competitiveness, safety, sustainability, and state of good repair. In light of constrained resources vis` a-vis demand for TIFIA assistance, the DOT requested comments regarding the potential implementation of a pilot program to accept, from qualified borrowers, an upfront fee payment to offset the entire subsidy cost of TIFIA credit assistance. Finally, the DOT will utilize this listening session to seek feedback from stakeholders regarding potential changes to strengthen and/or expand the TIFIA program. The DOT is committed to providing all interested parties an opportunity to discuss perspectives on pertinent issues that could affect the TIFIA program. While the NOFA published on December 3, 2009, sought public comment on specific issues related to TIFIA, the DOT recognizes that it would be useful to obtain additional information on a broader range of TIFIA-related subjects. Notwithstanding this listening session, however, individuals are encouraged to submit official comments to the docket. Participants are discouraged from reading prepared statements. III. Meeting Information The meeting will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., on Friday, February 12, 2010, in the West Atrium of the U.S. Department of Transportation located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Because access to the DOT building is controlled, all visitors must sign in with the security office located at the west building entrance, present valid picture identification, be escorted, and wear a visitor’s badge at all times while in the building. Due to security procedures and space limitations, individuals who wish to attend the listening session must preregister online by no later than 5 p.m., e.t., on Monday, February 8, 2010, to gain admittance to the meeting. Interested participants must register through the following link https:// www.housmanandassociates.com/ PO 00000 Frm 00138 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 usdot/. Anyone having difficulties registering online should contact Oscar Bedolla at TIFIACredit@dot.gov, (202)366–0638, for assistance with the online registration. All participants must be registered online. The first 200 participants to register will be granted entrance to the listening session. No formal presentations by participants will be permitted. Notwithstanding this session, individuals who wish to submit formal written comments to the docket are encouraged to follow the instructions provided in the original NOFA issued on December 3, 2009, at 74 FR 63497 prior to the closing date of March 1, 2010. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 601–609; 49 CFR 1.48(b)(6); 23 CFR Part 180; 49 CFR Part 80; 49 CFR Part 261; 49 CFR Part 640. Issued on: January 26, 2010. Victor M. Mendez, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2010–1966 Filed 1–29–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Ex Parte No. 290 (Sub-No. 4)] Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures— Productivity Adjustment AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT. ACTION: Proposed Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures Productivity Adjustment. SUMMARY: In a decision served on February 1, 2010, we proposed to adopt 1.010 (1.0% per year) as the measure of average change in railroad productivity for the 2004–2008 (5-year) averaging period. This is a decline of 0.5 of a percentage point from the current measure of 1.5% that was developed for the 2003–2007 period. The Board’s February 1, 2010 decision in this proceeding stated that comments may be filed addressing any perceived data and computational errors in our calculation. It also stated that, if there were no further action taken by the Board, the proposed productivity adjustment would become effective on March 1, 2010. DATES: The productivity adjustment is effective March 1, 2010. Comments are due by February 22, 2010. ADDRESSES: Send comments (an original and 10 copies) referring to STB Ex Parte No. 290 (Sub-No. 4) to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 20 (Monday, February 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5169-5170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1966]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation

[Docket No. FHWA-2009-0123]


Listening Session Regarding Notice of Funding Availability for 
Applications for Credit Assistance Under the Transportation 
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program; 
Clarification of TIFIA Selection Criteria; and Request for Comments on 
Potential Implementation of Pilot Program To Accept Upfront Payments 
for the Entire Subsidy Cost of TIFIA Credit Assistance and TIFIA 
Reauthorization

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Maritime 
Administration (MARAD), Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
(OST), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of listening session.

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

SUMMARY: The DOT's TIFIA Joint Program Office (JPO) announces a 
listening session for the public to discuss the topics identified in 
the notice of funding availability (NOFA) published in the Federal 
Register at 74 FR 63497, that had an original deadline of December 31, 
2009, and was later extended to March 1, 2010 (75 FR 506). This 
listening session will facilitate stakeholder feedback in a timely 
manner, consistent with the extension of the comment period and the 
March 1, 2010, deadline for comments to the docket.

DATES: The DOT will conduct a listening session on Friday, February 12, 
2010, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. e.t.

ADDRESSES: The listening session will be held in the West Atrium of the 
U.S. Department of Transportation located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC 20590. Due to security procedures and space 
limitations, participants will need to register online in advance using 
the following URL https://www.housmanandassociates.com/usdot/ to gain 
admittance to the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this 
notice please contact Oscar Bedolla via e-mail at TIFIACredit@dot.gov 
or via telephone at (202) 366-0368. A TDD is available at (202) 366-
7687.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), Public 
Law 105-178, 112 Stat.107, 241, (as amended by sections 1601-02 of Pub. 
L. 109-59) established the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and 
Innovation Act of 1998, authorizing the DOT to provide credit 
assistance in the form of secured (direct) loans, lines of credit, and 
loan guarantees to public and private applicants for eligible surface 
transportation projects. The TIFIA JPO, a component of the FHWA Office 
of Innovative Program Delivery, has responsibility for coordinating 
program implementation.
    In 2005, Congress enacted the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) 
(Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144), which made a number of amendments to 
TIFIA including lowering the thresholds and expanding eligibility for 
TIFIA credit assistance. Discussions regarding the pending 
reauthorization of the TIFIA program are anticipated in the coming 
months, and we are looking to stakeholders to provide feedback on 
potential program improvements for consideration during reauthorization 
discussions.

[[Page 5170]]

    Because the demand for credit assistance now exceeds budgetary 
resources, it is no longer feasible for DOT to maintain, as it had 
since 2002, an open process whereby the TIFIA JPO accepted applications 
on a ``first come, first serve'' basis as defined by the optimal 
schedule of the applicant. Instead, the DOT is returning to periodic 
fixed-date solicitations that will establish a competitive group of 
projects to be evaluated against the TIFIA program objectives.
    The eight TIFIA selection criteria are described in statute at 23 
U.S.C. 602(b) and assigned relative weights via regulation at 49 CFR 
80.15. The criteria were restated in the December 3, 2009, Federal 
Register notice at 74 FR 63497 with, where appropriate, clarifying 
language that indicated how the DOT will interpret them. In general, 
these clarifications indicated the DOT's desire to give priority to 
projects that have a significant impact on desirable long-term outcomes 
for the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region.
    As detailed in the December 3, 2009, Federal Register notice, 
beginning in fiscal year 2008, the total credit requests from TIFIA 
applicants exceeded available resources. In response, the Department 
suspended consideration of new applications and reserved anticipated 
fiscal years 2009 and 2010 appropriations with the expectation that 
existing applicants would contribute to the Government's cost of 
providing credit assistance. Several potential applicants, however, 
rather than waiting to compete for scarce TIFIA funds in fiscal year 
2010 and beyond, have indicated an interest paying a fee to offset the 
entire budgetary cost to the Federal Government. As a result, the DOT 
announced that it is exploring the potential of implementing a pilot 
program under which the DOT would accept applications for projects 
where the borrowers are willing and able to pay a fee to offset the 
entire subsidy cost of TIFIA credit assistance. The purpose of this 
pilot program would be to extend credit, consistent with policy 
objectives, to qualified projects that DOT otherwise cannot provide 
TIFIA assistance merely due to insufficient budgetary resources.
    Finally, with the pending discussions regarding reauthorization of 
the TIFIA credit program, the DOT is soliciting stakeholder 
reauthorization proposals at this listening session regarding potential 
changes to improve the TIFIA program.

II. Purpose of the Listening Session

    At the listening session, the DOT will receive the public's 
feedback on the following four issues.
    Because demand for the TIFIA program now exceeds budgetary 
resources, the DOT recently announced the suspension of the program's 
open application process and the return to periodic fixed-date 
solicitations that will establish a competitive group of projects to be 
evaluated against program objectives.
    Additionally, the DOT provided new language clarifying its use of 
the TIFIA selection criteria, incorporating explicit consideration of 
these policy objectives: livability, economic competitiveness, safety, 
sustainability, and state of good repair.
    In light of constrained resources vis-[agrave]-vis demand for TIFIA 
assistance, the DOT requested comments regarding the potential 
implementation of a pilot program to accept, from qualified borrowers, 
an upfront fee payment to offset the entire subsidy cost of TIFIA 
credit assistance.
    Finally, the DOT will utilize this listening session to seek 
feedback from stakeholders regarding potential changes to strengthen 
and/or expand the TIFIA program.
    The DOT is committed to providing all interested parties an 
opportunity to discuss perspectives on pertinent issues that could 
affect the TIFIA program. While the NOFA published on December 3, 2009, 
sought public comment on specific issues related to TIFIA, the DOT 
recognizes that it would be useful to obtain additional information on 
a broader range of TIFIA-related subjects. Notwithstanding this 
listening session, however, individuals are encouraged to submit 
official comments to the docket. Participants are discouraged from 
reading prepared statements.

III. Meeting Information

    The meeting will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., on 
Friday, February 12, 2010, in the West Atrium of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590. Because access to the DOT building is controlled, all visitors 
must sign in with the security office located at the west building 
entrance, present valid picture identification, be escorted, and wear a 
visitor's badge at all times while in the building.
    Due to security procedures and space limitations, individuals who 
wish to attend the listening session must pre-register online by no 
later than 5 p.m., e.t., on Monday, February 8, 2010, to gain 
admittance to the meeting. Interested participants must register 
through the following link https://www.housmanandassociates.com/usdot/. 
Anyone having difficulties registering online should contact Oscar 
Bedolla at TIFIACredit@dot.gov, (202)366-0638, for assistance with the 
online registration. All participants must be registered online. The 
first 200 participants to register will be granted entrance to the 
listening session. No formal presentations by participants will be 
permitted.
    Notwithstanding this session, individuals who wish to submit formal 
written comments to the docket are encouraged to follow the 
instructions provided in the original NOFA issued on December 3, 2009, 
at 74 FR 63497 prior to the closing date of March 1, 2010.

    Authority:  23 U.S.C. 601-609; 49 CFR 1.48(b)(6); 23 CFR Part 
180; 49 CFR Part 80; 49 CFR Part 261; 49 CFR Part 640.

    Issued on: January 26, 2010.
Victor M. Mendez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-1966 Filed 1-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
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