Finding of Equivalence; Alternate Pressure Relief Valve Settings on Certain Vessels Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, 59408-59409 [2012-23772]

Download as PDF erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with 59408 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 188 / Thursday, September 27, 2012 / Notices www.signup4.net/Public/ ap.aspx?EID=20124214E. Please provide your name, citizenship, organization (if any), title (if any), email address (if any), and telephone number. For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, below. The materials that are provided to committee members will also be provided to the public. Materials that are sent to committee members in advance will be posted on the public Web site below at the same time. Materials that are provided to committee members at the meeting will be made available to any members of the public present at the same time, and also posted to the public Web site below as soon as possible after the meeting. Check this Web site after Sept. 12: https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-securityscience-and-technology-advisorycommittee-hsstac. To facilitate public participation, we invite public comment on the issues to be considered by the committee as listed in the ‘‘Supplementary Information’’ below. Comments may be submitted orally or in writing, or both. If submitting in writing, please include the docket number (DHS–2012–0053) and submit by one of these methods before September 25: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: mary.hanson@hq.dhs.gov. Include the docket number in the subject line of the message. • Fax: 202–254–6176. • Mail: Mary Hanson, HSSTAC Executive Director, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane, Bldg. 410, Washington, DC 20528 Instructions: All submissions received must include the words ‘‘Department of Homeland Security’’ and the docket number. Comments received will be posted without alteration at https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Docket: For access to the docket or to read background documents or comments received by the HSSTAC, go to https://www.regulations.gov. A period is allotted for oral public comment on September 28 after DHS officials provide briefings on each issue listed below and prior to the members making their recommendations. Speakers are asked to pre-register as such, and to limit their comments to three minutes or less. Please note that the public comment period may end VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 before the time indicated, following the last call for comments. To register as a speaker, contact the person listed below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: September 21, 2012. Mary Hanson, Executive Director, Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee. Mary Hanson, HSSTAC Executive Director, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane, Bldg. 410, Washington, DC 20528, 202–254–5866 (O) 202–254–5823 (F), mary.hanson@hq.dhs.gov. [FR Doc. 2012–23821 Filed 9–26–12; 8:45 am] Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92–463). The HSSTAC was established and operates in accordance with the provisions of the FACA. The committee addresses areas of interest and importance to the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, such as new developments in systems engineering, cyber-security, knowledge management and how best to leverage related technologies funded by other Federal agencies and by the private sector. It also advises the Under Secretary on policies, management processes, and organizational constructs as needed. The HSSTAC will meet for the purpose of receiving introductory and administrative briefings and to receive briefings on the following issues: How Technology can Address Homeland Security Challenges; Accelerating Innovation Through Systems Analysis; and Leveraging Industry for Impact. Members will discuss and deliberate various approaches and responses, hear comments from the public, the recommend next steps to address these issues. At the end of the meeting and following input from the committee, Department officials will prioritize the issues discussed and provide direction to the committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that notices of meetings of advisory committees be announced in the Federal Register 15 days prior to the meeting date. A notice of the meeting of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee was published in the Federal Register on September 13, 2012, 14 days prior to the meeting. This one-day delay in notification was caused by an unusual and unanticipated delay in inter-office mail. Although the meeting notice was published in the Federal Register one day late, committee members and other expected attendees were notified directly through phone calls and emails. [Docket No. USCG–2012–0804] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 BILLING CODE 9110–9F–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard Finding of Equivalence; Alternate Pressure Relief Valve Settings on Certain Vessels Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard announces the availability of CG–ENG Policy Letter 04–12, ‘‘Alternative Pressure Relief Valve Settings on Vessels Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk in Independent Type B and Type C Tanks.’’ Existing Coast Guard regulations regarding the allowable stress factors for type B and type C independent cargo tanks are more stringent than the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for such cargo tanks. Materials, manufacturing, and inspections have advanced since the Coast Guard first promulgated regulations on allowable stress factors on May 3, 1979. CG–ENG Policy Letter 04–12 establishes that for certain type B and type C independent cargo tanks that are designed and manufactured using advanced techniques, the IMO standards for allowable stress factors provide a level of safety protection equivalent to the standards in 46 CFR 154.447 and 46 CFR 154.450. DATES: CG–ENG Policy Letter 04–12 is effective as of September 27, 2012. ADDRESSES: This notice and the documents referenced within are available in the docket and can be viewed by going to www.regulations.gov, and using ‘‘USCG–2012–0804’’ as your search term. CG–ENG Policy Letter 04–12 is also available at www.uscg.mil and can be viewed by clicking the link to the Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG–ENG) under the ‘‘Units,’’ ‘‘USCG Headquarters Organization,’’ and ‘‘CG–5P’’ tabs, and scrolling down to ‘‘Policy Documents.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, call or email Cynthia A. Znati, CG–ENG–5, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (202) 372– 1412, email Cynthia.A.Znati@uscg.mil. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 188 / Thursday, September 27, 2012 / Notices If you have questions on viewing material in the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with Background and Purpose The IMO first adopted the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) on November 12, 1975. The current version of the IGC Code is the 1993 Edition, as amended through December 5, 1996. On May 3, 1979, the Coast Guard promulgated regulations based largely on the IGC Code, but adopted the stricter standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII with respect to allowable stress factors. Coast Guard regulations in 46 CFR 154.447 and 154.450 regarding allowable stress factors for type B and type C independent cargo tanks have remained unchanged since May 3, 1979. Coast Guard regulations in 46 CFR 154.447 and 154.450 require that selfpropelled ships carrying liquefied bulk gases in type B and type C tanks use stress factors that are higher than those in the IGC Code. The higher stress factors lead to lower maximum allowable relief valve settings (MARVS) than are allowed by the IGC code. Accordingly, ships with type B or type C tanks that travel from international waters to U.S. territorial waters must have two pressure relief valve (PRV) settings per tank, and they must switch PRV settings upon entering U.S. territorial waters. We believe that in many cases, switching between these two PRV settings is not necessary for safety purposes. Finding of Equivalence According to 46 CFR 154.32, vessels may meet an alternate standard if the Commandant determines that the alternate standard provides an equivalent or greater level of protection for the purpose of safety. We recognize that advances have been made with respect to materials, manufacturing, and inspection since we first promulgated 46 CFR 154.447 and 154.450. Therefore, as specified in CG–ENG Policy Letter 04–12 and below, we have determined that for tanks designed and manufactured with advanced techniques, the stress factors in the IGC Code provide a level of safety equivalent to current Coast Guard regulations. Tanks manufactured consistent with certain conditions are considered to meet the level of safety required in 46 CFR 154.447 and 154.450. Tanks that VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Sep 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 meet the following two requirements may use the MARVS as determined by the IGC Code: (1) The tank must be designed and built according to the IGC code, 1993 Edition, including all amendments through December 5, 1996; and (2) The classification society that certified the tank must be authorized to issue an International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk (Certificate of Fitness) and must be authorized to participate in the Coast Guard’s Alternate Compliance Program. See https://www.uscg.mil/hq/ cg5/acp/ for further information. Tanks that do not meet both of these requirements must comply with current Coast Guard regulations in 46 CFR 154.447 or 154.450. Alternatively, persons may request approval from the Commandant (CG–ENG–5, formerly CG– 522) to use an alternate pressure relief valve setting for such tanks. Equivalency requests must include the information required in 46 CFR 154.32(b) and should also include a copy of the Certificate of Fitness. The guidance in this notice and CG– ENG Policy Letter 04–12 is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is in itself a regulation. It is not intended to nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party. It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as other federal and state regulators, in applying U.S. statutory and regulatory requirements. This notice is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 3703, 46 U.S.C. 9101, 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 46 CFR 154.32, and 33 CFR 1.05–1. Dated: September 13, 2012. J.G. Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards, U.S. Coast Guard. [FR Doc. 2012–23772 Filed 9–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59409 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [OMB Control Number 1615–0023] Agency Information Collection Activities: Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I–485 and Supplements A, C, and E, Revision of a Currently Approved Collection; Comment Request ACTION: 30-day notice. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. An information collection notice was previously published in the Federal Register on July 25, 2012, at 76 FR 43608, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. USCIS did not receive any comments on the 60-day notice. DATES: This notice allows an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until October 29, 2012. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. ADDRESSES: Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to DHS, and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, USCIS Desk Officer. Comments may be submitted to: USCIS, Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20529–2140. Comments may also be submitted to DHS via email at USCISFRComment@dhs.gov or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID number USCIS–2009–0020, and to the OMB USCIS Desk Officer via facsimile at 202–395–5806 or via email at oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. All submissions received must include the agency name and e-Docket ID. When submitting comments by email please make sure to add 1615–0023 in the subject box. All submissions received must include the agency name, OMB Control Number and Docket ID. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 188 (Thursday, September 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59408-59409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23772]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0804]


Finding of Equivalence; Alternate Pressure Relief Valve Settings 
on Certain Vessels Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of CG-ENG Policy 
Letter 04-12, ``Alternative Pressure Relief Valve Settings on Vessels 
Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk in Independent Type B and Type C 
Tanks.'' Existing Coast Guard regulations regarding the allowable 
stress factors for type B and type C independent cargo tanks are more 
stringent than the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards 
for such cargo tanks. Materials, manufacturing, and inspections have 
advanced since the Coast Guard first promulgated regulations on 
allowable stress factors on May 3, 1979. CG-ENG Policy Letter 04-12 
establishes that for certain type B and type C independent cargo tanks 
that are designed and manufactured using advanced techniques, the IMO 
standards for allowable stress factors provide a level of safety 
protection equivalent to the standards in 46 CFR 154.447 and 46 CFR 
154.450.

DATES: CG-ENG Policy Letter 04-12 is effective as of September 27, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: This notice and the documents referenced within are 
available in the docket and can be viewed by going to 
www.regulations.gov, and using ``USCG-2012-0804'' as your search term. 
CG-ENG Policy Letter 04-12 is also available at www.uscg.mil and can be 
viewed by clicking the link to the Office of Design and Engineering 
Standards (CG-ENG) under the ``Units,'' ``USCG Headquarters 
Organization,'' and ``CG-5P'' tabs, and scrolling down to ``Policy 
Documents.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
call or email Cynthia A. Znati, CG-ENG-5, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 
(202) 372-1412, email Cynthia.A.Znati@uscg.mil.

[[Page 59409]]

If you have questions on viewing material in the docket, call Renee V. 
Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    The IMO first adopted the International Code for the Construction 
and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) on 
November 12, 1975. The current version of the IGC Code is the 1993 
Edition, as amended through December 5, 1996. On May 3, 1979, the Coast 
Guard promulgated regulations based largely on the IGC Code, but 
adopted the stricter standards of the American Society of Mechanical 
Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII 
with respect to allowable stress factors. Coast Guard regulations in 46 
CFR 154.447 and 154.450 regarding allowable stress factors for type B 
and type C independent cargo tanks have remained unchanged since May 3, 
1979.
    Coast Guard regulations in 46 CFR 154.447 and 154.450 require that 
self-propelled ships carrying liquefied bulk gases in type B and type C 
tanks use stress factors that are higher than those in the IGC Code. 
The higher stress factors lead to lower maximum allowable relief valve 
settings (MARVS) than are allowed by the IGC code. Accordingly, ships 
with type B or type C tanks that travel from international waters to 
U.S. territorial waters must have two pressure relief valve (PRV) 
settings per tank, and they must switch PRV settings upon entering U.S. 
territorial waters. We believe that in many cases, switching between 
these two PRV settings is not necessary for safety purposes.

Finding of Equivalence

    According to 46 CFR 154.32, vessels may meet an alternate standard 
if the Commandant determines that the alternate standard provides an 
equivalent or greater level of protection for the purpose of safety. We 
recognize that advances have been made with respect to materials, 
manufacturing, and inspection since we first promulgated 46 CFR 154.447 
and 154.450. Therefore, as specified in CG-ENG Policy Letter 04-12 and 
below, we have determined that for tanks designed and manufactured with 
advanced techniques, the stress factors in the IGC Code provide a level 
of safety equivalent to current Coast Guard regulations.
    Tanks manufactured consistent with certain conditions are 
considered to meet the level of safety required in 46 CFR 154.447 and 
154.450. Tanks that meet the following two requirements may use the 
MARVS as determined by the IGC Code:
    (1) The tank must be designed and built according to the IGC code, 
1993 Edition, including all amendments through December 5, 1996; and
    (2) The classification society that certified the tank must be 
authorized to issue an International Certificate of Fitness for the 
Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk (Certificate of Fitness) and must 
be authorized to participate in the Coast Guard's Alternate Compliance 
Program. See https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/acp/ for further information.

Tanks that do not meet both of these requirements must comply with 
current Coast Guard regulations in 46 CFR 154.447 or 154.450. 
Alternatively, persons may request approval from the Commandant (CG-
ENG-5, formerly CG-522) to use an alternate pressure relief valve 
setting for such tanks. Equivalency requests must include the 
information required in 46 CFR 154.32(b) and should also include a copy 
of the Certificate of Fitness.
    The guidance in this notice and CG-ENG Policy Letter 04-12 is not a 
substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is in itself a 
regulation. It is not intended to nor does it impose legally-binding 
requirements on any party. It represents the Coast Guard's current 
thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general 
public, and the Coast Guard, as well as other federal and state 
regulators, in applying U.S. statutory and regulatory requirements.
    This notice is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 3703, 46 U.S.C. 
9101, 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 46 CFR 154.32, and 33 CFR 1.05-1.

    Dated: September 13, 2012.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2012-23772 Filed 9-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.