July 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Section 321 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires the Commission to consider the effectiveness of current labeling requirements for lamps (commonly referred to as light bulbs) and alternative labeling approaches. After holding a public meeting, conducting consumer research, issuing proposed changes to existing labeling requirements, and reviewing public comments, the Commission announces final amendments to the lamp labeling requirements in the Appliance Labeling Rule. The Commission also seeks further comment on several issues for consideration in any subsequent rulemaking.

This final rule makes inseason adjustments to trawl fishery management measures for petrale sole taken with selective flatfish and multiple trawl gears in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, North of 40[deg] 10.00' N. lat. This action, which is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), is intended to prevent exceeding the 2010 OY for petrale sole.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have revised the NUHOMS[supreg] HD cask system listing within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks to include Amendment No. 1 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) Number 1030. The NRC is taking this action because the applicant identified that a certain Technical Specification (TS) for Boral characterization was not written precisely. Specifically, the requirements for meeting TS 4.3.1, ``Neutron Absorber Tests,'' which references Section 9.1.7.3 of the Safety Analysis Report (SAR), are not precisely quantified in that it requires that ``the average size of the boron carbide particles in the finished product is approximately 50 microns after rolling.'' Use of language such as ``average'' and ``approximately'' is imprecise, and no ranges or statistical variations are specified. The NRC will publish a revised direct final rule along with its companion proposed rule after the necessary revisions to the TS are made.

EPA finds that the Mendenhall Valley nonattainment area in Alaska attained the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to a nominal ten micrometers (PM10) as of December 31, 1995.

This rule specifies regulations for the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP), which has replaced the Price Support Program for Milk, and amends regulations for the Dairy Indemnity Payment Program (DIPP). The two programs are authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) through 2012. The DPPSP supports the price of cheddar cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk by providing a standing offer from Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to purchase those products at specific support prices. This rule specifies the minimum price support levels for cheddar cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk. This rule also specifies the minimum price at which CCC may sell dairy products from inventory. DIPP indemnifies dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products for losses suffered due to contamination of milk and milk products. This rule extends DIPP through 2012 and amends the method through which DIPP payments will be disbursed in the event that available appropriated funds are insufficient to pay all claims. That method is changing from a pro rata method to a first-come, first-paid basis.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is revising its regulations to change the fees for search and review of agency records by NRC personnel. This document is necessary to inform the public of these changes.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone upon specified waters of the Potomac River. All persons and vessels are prohibited from transiting the zone, except as authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during a fireworks display launched from a discharge barge located near Dumfries, Virginia. This safety zone is intended to protect the maritime public in a portion of the Potomac River.

This proposed rule would establish standards and procedures by which the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) may require that certain contracts or orders that promote the national defense be given priority over other contracts or orders. This rule also sets new standards and procedures by which DOE may allocate materials, services and facilities to promote the national defense. DOE is publishing this rule to comply with a requirement of the Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-67) to publish regulations providing standards and procedures for prioritization of contracts and orders and for allocation of materials, services and facilities to promote the national defense.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, ``we'' or ``the Agency'') has determined that the Department of Energy's (DOE) Compliance Recertification Application (CRA or ``application'') for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is complete. EPA provided written notice of the completeness decision to the Secretary of Energy on June 29, 2010. The text of the letter is contained in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. The Agency has determined that the application is complete, in accordance with 40 CFR part 194, ``Criteria for the Certification and Recertification of the WIPP's Compliance with the 40 CFR part 191 Disposal Regulations'' (Compliance Certification Criteria). The completeness determination is an administrative step that is required by regulation, and it does not imply in any way that the CRA demonstrates compliance with the Compliance Criteria and/or the disposal regulations. EPA is now engaged in the full technical review that will determine if WIPP remains in compliance with the disposal regulations. As required by the 1992 WIPP Land Withdrawal Act and our implementing regulations, EPA will make a final recertification decision within six months of issuing the completeness letter to the Secretary of Energy.

This document presents the Record of Decision (ROD) regarding the changes made to the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). ECP provides emergency funding to owners, operators, and tenants of farms and ranches who suffered damage to their certain lands as a result of a natural disaster. Under the Proposed Action, Farm Service Agency (FSA) could expand ECP eligibility to other types of farmland, namely land that is timberland, or is a roadbed on an area of land that is eligible for ECP, and also farmsteads, feedlots, and grain bins. To implement the Proposed Action, FSA would develop a proposed rule to expand upon current regulations to reflect changes to the policy that currently only extends the ECP to traditional cropland and forage land. Any proposal to change any rule would be subject to public comment and to consideration and rejection as the circumstances, further reflection, and public comments might warrant. In the interim, however, FSA is inviting comments on the ROD. The ECP Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) tiers from the Emergency Conservation Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2003 and published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2004. The SEIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action on the nation's environmental resources and economy. The No Action alternative (continuation of current ECP with no modifications) is also analyzed and to provide an environmental baseline.

This interim rule revises HUD regulations to reference the new governmentwide Federal Financial Report (FFR), approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The purpose of the FFR is to consolidate requirements from the OMB issued Standard Forms SF-269, SF- 269A SF-272, and the SF-272A, into a single governmentwide form. The consolidation provides recipients of HUD grants and cooperative agreements a standard format for reporting the financial status of their grants and cooperative agreements and will assist in efforts to move to electronic grants management by reducing the variation and number of forms required for reporting. In including the new FFR in its regulations, HUD revises its regulations to remove references to SF-270 and SF-271, since they are no longer in use.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. The AD would require visually inspecting each tail rotor (T/R) control pedal bearing block support (support) for a crack, measuring the thickness of each uncracked support, installing support safety tabs on certain supports, and replacing supports of a certain thickness during overhaul. This proposal is prompted by two reports of Model R22 helicopters experiencing broken supports during flight, which resulted in the T/R control pedals becoming jammed. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the supports from breaking, which can bind the T/R control pedals, resulting in a reduction of yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action revises Class E airspace at Monterey Peninsula Airport, Monterey, CA. The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) to better clarify the legal description of controlled airspace designated as an extension to Class C surface area.

The Audio Division grants the Petition for Reconsideration filed on behalf of Maupin Broadcasting Company, requesting the deletion of Channel 244C2 at Maupin, Oregon. We are deleting Channel 244C2 at Maupin because there is no other expression of interest in the vacant channel. It is Commission policy to refrain from maintaining an allotment were there are no bona fide expressions of interest.

On April 5, 2010, the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Notice of Public Meeting (NOPM) in the Federal Register to announce the availability of the technical support document for walk-in coolers and freezers and a public meeting on May 14, 2010. On April 14, 2010, DOE published a correction notice to change the date of the public meeting to May 19, 2010 and extend the deadline for the submission of comments to May 28, 2010. This document announces that the period for submitting comments on the preliminary technical support document for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers is to be re-opened from July 15, 2010 to July 30, 2010.

This document announces a reopening of the time period for submitting comments on the framework document to establish energy conservation standards for the use of electricity for purposes of circulating air through duct work of residential heating and cooling systems (``furnace fans''). The comment period closed on July 6, 2010. The comment period is reopened from July 15, 2010 until July 27, 2010.

We are modifying our regulations to clarify and revise what we consider major life-changing events for the Medicare Part B income- related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) and what evidence we require to support a claim of a major life-changing event. Recent changes in the economy and other unforeseen events have had a significant effect on many Medicare Part B beneficiaries. The changes we are making in this interim final rule will allow us to respond appropriately to circumstances brought about by the current economic climate and other unforeseen events, as described below.

On June 21, 2010, EPA proposed to regulate the disposal of coal combustion residuals generated from the combustion of coal at electric utilities and by independent power producers. Given the significant public interest in this proposed rule and to further public participation opportunities, EPA is announcing five public hearings to be held in cities across the United States. The hearings will provide the public with an opportunity to present data, views or arguments concerning the proposed rule. The public hearings will take place in Arlington, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Chicago, Illinois.

This action will amend Class E airspace at Bozeman, MT, to accommodate aircraft using a new VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range (VOR) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Gallatin Field Airport. This will improve the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC or ``Commission'') will hold a public hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Commission's Water Quality Regulations, Water Code and Comprehensive Plan to update many of the Commission's stream quality objectives (also called water quality criteria) for human health and aquatic life for toxic pollutants in the Delaware Estuary (DRBC Water Quality Zones 2 through 5) and to extend application of the criteria to Delaware Bay (DRBC Water Quality Zone 6). The proposed changes will bring the Commission's criteria for toxic pollutants into conformity with current guidance published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and provide a more consistent regulatory framework for managing the tidal portion of the main stem Delaware River.

In this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), the Commission proposes rules to expedite access by telecommunications carriers and cable operators to utility poles. Proposed measures include adoption of a specific timeline for poles survey and make-ready work, use of outside contractors, and improving the availability of data. The FNPRM also proposes to improve the pole attachments enforcement process, and proposes ways to make attachment rates as low and uniform as possible consistent with section 224 of the Communications Act. These steps should lower both the cost of gaining access to utility poles and pole attachment rates. These actions are intended to remove impediments to the deployment of facilities and to increase delivery of broadband services.

EPA is taking final action to disapprove revisions to the SIP submitted by the State of Texas that relate to the State's Flexible Permits Program (the Texas Flexible Permits Program or the Program). EPA is disapproving the Texas Flexible Permits Program because it does not meet the Minor NSR SIP requirements nor does it meet the NSR SIP requirements for a substitute Major NSR SIP revision. We are taking this action under section 110, part C, and part D, of Title I of the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act or CAA).

The General Services Administration is amending the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) by amending the provisions for the sale of personal property through Federal Asset Sales (FAS) Sales Centers.

This regulation amends the existing tolerance exemption for acetic acid by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of acetic acid, also known as vinegar in or on all food crops resulting from unintentional spray and drift to non- target vegetation including non-food, food and feed crops when used as a non-selective contact herbicide spray. SummerSet Products c/o SciReg, Inc. submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of acetic acid, also known as vinegar.