2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting for scribe lines in the skin along lap joints, butt joints, certain external doublers, and the large cargo door hinges, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that scribe lines could occur where external decals are installed or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, or external doublers. This proposed AD would add inspecting for scribe lines where external decals have been applied or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, and external doublers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin. Undetected fatigue cracks can grow and cause sudden decompression of the airplane.

In this document, Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's Rulemaking proceeding against the adoption of a national cap of 50 applications and a market-based cap of one application per applicant per market for pending Auction No. 83 translator applications.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to revise and expand its existing regulations governing the use of particular methods as alternatives to testing for the purposes of certifying compliance with the applicable energy conservation standards and the reporting of related ratings for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment covered by energy conservation standards.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Honeywell International, Inc. ALF502L-2C; ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; LF507-1F; and LF507-1H turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by two reports of engines experiencing uncontained release of low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. This AD requires operational checks of the engine overspeed trip system. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP turbine overspeed leading to uncontained release of the LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zones for fireworks displays in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port Zone from May 2012 through September 2012. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of the crews onboard the vessels displaying the fireworks, the maritime public, and all other observers. During the enforcement period for each specific safety zone, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port Columbia River or his designated representative.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The proposed changes will update the following sections of the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Seaway Navigation; Dangerous Cargo; Information and Reports; General; and, Navigation Closing Procedures. These proposed amendments are necessary to take account of updated procedures and will enhance the safety of transits through the Seaway. Several of the proposed amendments are merely editorial or for clarification of existing requirements.

EPA is withdrawing a significant new use rule (SNUR) promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for a chemical substance identified generically as C15 olefins, which was the subject of premanufacture notice (PMN) P-11-511. EPA published this SNUR using direct final rulemaking procedures. EPA received a notice of intent to submit adverse comments on the rule. Therefore, the Agency is withdrawing this SNUR, as required under the expedited SNUR rulemaking process. EPA intends to publish a proposed SNUR for the chemical substance under separate notice and comment procedures.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission affirms its basic determinations in Order No. 1000, amending the transmission planning and cost allocation requirements established in Order No. 890 to ensure that Commission-jurisdictional services are provided at just and reasonable rates and on a basis that is just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. This order affirms the Order No. 1000 transmission planning reforms that: Require that each public utility transmission provider participate in a regional transmission planning process that produces a regional transmission plan; provide that local and regional transmission planning processes must provide an opportunity to identify and evaluate transmission needs driven by public policy requirements established by state or federal laws or regulations; improve coordination between neighboring transmission planning regions for new interregional transmission facilities; and remove from Commission-approved tariffs and agreements a federal right of first refusal. This order also affirms the Order No. 1000 requirements that each public utility transmission provider must participate in a regional transmission planning process that has: A regional cost allocation method for the cost of new transmission facilities selected in a regional transmission plan for purposes of cost allocation and an interregional cost allocation method for the cost of new transmission facilities that are located in two neighboring transmission planning regions and are jointly evaluated by the two regions in the interregional transmission coordination process required by this Final Rule. Additionally, this order affirms the Order No. 1000 requirement that each cost allocation method must satisfy six cost allocation principles.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential clothes washers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this proposed rule, DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in today's Federal Register. If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, DOE will publish a notice withdrawing the final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.

NMFS issues this final rule to implement management measures described in a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This rule increases the commercial and recreational quotas for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish fishery for the 2012 fishing year, and for the 2013 fishing year if NMFS determines the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is not exceeded in the 2012 fishing year; eliminates the October 1 closure date of the recreational fishing season; and announces the quota closure date of the 2012 recreational fishing season. This final rule is intended to provide more flexibility in managing recreational red snapper and to help achieve optimum yield (OY) for the Gulf red snapper resource without increasing the risk of red snapper experiencing overfishing.

This document contains minor corrections to the Exchange Visitor ProgramSummer Work Travel interim final rule published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2012. In the interim final rule the facsimile number (under the contact section), a citation to an exception to the category of prohibited jobs, and the date by which the public must submit comments were all incorrect.

EPA is promulgating a significant new use rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for elemental mercury use in barometers, manometers, hygrometers, and psychrometers. This action will require persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or process elemental mercury for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this final rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification will provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.

This document contains proposed amendments to the regulations regarding the agent for an affiliated group that files a consolidated return (consolidated group). The proposed regulations provide guidance concerning the identity and authority of the agent for the consolidated group (agent for the group). These proposed regulations affect all consolidated groups. This document also invites comments from the public regarding these proposed regulations.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operation schedule that governs the Stillwater Highway Drawbridge across the St. Croix River, mile 23.4, at Stillwater, Minnesota. The deviation is necessary due to increased vehicular traffic after a local 4th of July fireworks display. The deviation allows the bridge to be in the closed-to-navigation position to clear increased vehicular traffic.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain the Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to inspect for part numbers of the operational program software of the flight control computers, and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of undetected erroneous output from a single radio altimeter channel, which resulted in premature autothrottle retard during approach. This action revises that NPRM by also proposing to supersede an existing AD. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct an unsafe condition associated with erroneous output from a radio altimeter channel, which could result in premature autothrottle landing flare retard and the loss of automatic speed control, and consequent loss of control of the airplane. Since the proposal to now supersede an existing AD may impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on this proposed change.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is withdrawing a previously published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance premium rates for structures that have suffered multiple flood losses. The proposed rule would have required owners of such structures to pay a higher premium for flood insurance if they declined an offer of funding to eliminate or reduce future flood damage. FEMA is withdrawing the NPRM because it has been superseded by legislation.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the enforcement location of a safety zone for one specific recurring fireworks display in the Fifth Coast Guard District. This regulation applies to only one recurring fireworks event, held adjacent to the Currituck Sound, Corolla, North Carolina. The fireworks display previously originated from a barge but will this year originate from a location on land; the safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Currituck Sound, Corolla, NC, during the event.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) publishes this notice regarding the petition received on January 11, 2012 from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) requesting formal designation of Arab-Americans as a minority group that is socially or economically disadvantaged pursuant to 15 CFR art 1400. The formal designation of the Arab-American community as a group that is socially or economically disadvantaged would allow the members of this community to receive assistance from MBDA funded programs, such as the MBDA Business Center program. The ADC filed a petition, pursuant to 15 CFR part 1400.3, including information specifically related to social and economic discrimination against Arab-Americans. This Notice provides public notice that the United States Department of Commerce (Department) will consider the petition and requests public comment on the propriety of this designation. MBDA will make a decision on the application no later than June 27, 2012.

In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to update its test procedures for showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals. Specifically, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the American Society of Mechanical Engineers/American National Standards Institute (ASME/ANSI) Standard A112.18.1-2011 test procedure for faucets and showerheads, which would replace the 1996 version currently referenced by DOE in its test procedure. DOE also proposes to incorporate by reference ASME/ANSI Standard A112.19.2-2008 procedure for water closets and urinals, which would replace the 1995 version currently referenced by DOE in its test procedure. These updates fulfill DOE's obligation under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to review its test procedures for covered products at least once every 7 years and either amend the applicable test procedures or publish a determination in the Federal Register not to amend them. DOE also expects that incorporation of the updated procedures will bring DOE's testing requirements more closely in line with current industry practices, reduce the burden associated with testing and reporting test results for these products, and improve the accuracy of test results. For commercial prerinse spray valves, DOE has preliminarily determined that no changes are needed to the existing DOE test procedure in order to accurately measure the water consumption of these products, and proposes to retain the existing procedure without change. However, since the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) reapproved this standard in 2009 as F2324-03 (2009), DOE is proposing to incorporate by reference this most recent version. This action would also satisfy the EPCA requirement for DOE to review the test procedures for these products at least once every 7 years. This notice also announces a public meeting to receive comments on these proposed amendments to the test procedures.

This document contains proposed regulations relating to property transferred in connection with the performance of services under section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). These proposed regulations affect certain taxpayers who received property transferred in connection with the performance of services.

On November 18, 2011, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') published in the Federal Register a final rule and interim final rule, which establish a position limits regime for 28 exempt and agricultural commodity futures and options contracts and the physical commodity swaps that are economically equivalent to such contracts. In response to a petition for exemptive relief under the Commodity Exchange Act and certain comments to the Commission's interim final rule for spot-month limits for cash-settled contracts, this notice proposes certain modifications to the Commission's policy for aggregation under the position limits regime in CFTC regulations.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential dishwashers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this direct final rule, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards for residential dishwashers. DOE has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified. A notice of proposed rulemaking that proposes identical energy efficiency standards is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register. If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, this final rule will be withdrawn and DOE will proceed with the proposed rule.

This notice announces that the period for submitting comments on the Department of Energy's (DOE) request for information (RFI) issued as part of its implementation of Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' is extended to June 19, 2012.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering the inclusion of Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks in an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan that is currently under development. This amendment process began in October 2011 to address the results of recent stock assessments for scalloped hammerhead, dusky, sandbar, and blacknose sharks. A new stock assessment is ongoing for Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks, and is expected to be complete and available before the amendment process is completed. Therefore, we are considering including Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks in the amendment to ensure any changes in the shark fisheries as a result of recent stock assessments are considered at the same time for public clarity and for administrative efficiency.

The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is withdrawing its proposed rule published on September 2, 2011, 76 FR 54836, which provided the public with notice of and the opportunity to submit written comments on its proposal to amend its child labor regulations which protect children from employment in particularly hazardous occupations.