January 23, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA is proposing approval of State Implementation Plan revisions submitted by the State of Connecticut. These SIP revisions consist of a demonstration that Connecticut meets the requirements of reasonably available control technology for oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds set forth by the Clean Air Act with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. Additionally, we are proposing approval of three single source orders. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is adopting amendments to Rule 17Ad-17 to implement the requirements of Section 929W of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (``Dodd-Frank Act''). That Section added to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') subsection (g), ``Due Diligence for the Delivery of Dividends, Interest, and Other Valuable Property Rights,'' which directs the Commission to revise Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-17, ``Transfer Agents' Obligation to Search for Lost Securityholders'' to: extend the requirements of Rule 17Ad-17 to search for lost securityholders from only recordkeeping transfer agents to brokers and dealers as well; add a requirement that ``paying agents'' notify ``unresponsive payees'' that a paying agent has sent a securityholder a check that has not yet been negotiated; and add certain other provisions. The Commission also is adopting a proposed conforming amendment to Rule 17Ad-7(i) and new Rule 15b1-6, a technical rule to help ensure that brokers and dealers have notice of their new obligations with respect to lost securityholders and unresponsive payees.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone encompassing certain waters of the Potomac River and Anacostia River. This action is necessary to safeguard persons and property, and prevent terrorist acts or incidents. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to depart the security zone, unless specifically exempt under the provisions in this rule or granted specific permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers during the event.

The Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District is staying (suspending) reporting requirements under the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) established for barges loaded with certain dangerous cargoes (CDC barges) in the inland rivers of the Ninth Coast Guard District. This stay (suspension) extension is necessary because the Coast Guard continues to analyze future reporting needs and evaluate possible changes in CDC reporting requirements. This stay (suspension) of the CDC reporting requirements in no way relieves towing vessel operators and fleeting area managers responsible for CDC barges in the RNA from their dangerous cargo or vessel arrival and movement reporting obligations currently in effect under other regulations or placed into effect under appropriate Coast Guard authority.

On August 6, 2010 and September 16, 2011, the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') published documents in the Federal Register (75 FR 47449 and 76 FR 57637, respectively) that each included an inaccurate amendatory instruction pertaining to an authority citation. The Commission is publishing this technical amendment to accurately reflect the authority citation in the Code of Federal Regulations.

EPA is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for four chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process any of the chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit the activity before it occurs.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka), a federally endangered fish, under the authority of section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This proposed rule provides a plan for reintroducing Topeka shiners into portions of the species' historical range in Adair, Gentry, Harrison, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth Counties, Missouri and provides for allowable legal incidental taking of the Topeka shiner within the defined NEP area. Topeka shiners will not be reintroduced into the NEP area until after we issue a final regulation that establishes the NEP.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish a new test procedure for set-top boxes (STBs). The proposed test procedure describes the methods for measuring the power consumption of STBs in the on, sleep (commonly known as standby mode), and off modes. Further, an annual energy consumption (AEC) metric is proposed to calculate the annualized energy consumption of the STB based on its power consumption in the different modes of operation. DOE has tentatively identified that the test methods described in the draft Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standard, CEA-2043, ``Set-top Box (STB) Power Measurement'' are appropriate to use as a basis for developing the test procedure for STBs. The draft CEA-2043 standard specifies the test methods for determining the power consumption of a STB in the on, sleep, and off modes. The proposed test procedure in this rulemaking is primarily based on the draft CEA-2043 standard, which was issued as an email ballot to the members of the CEA working group developing the standard for a vote on November 27, 2012.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain hydraulic servo actuator assemblies (servo) for a loose nut, shaft, and clevis assembly, modifying or replacing the servo as necessary, and reidentifying the servo. This AD is prompted by an investigation after an accident and the determination that there was a loose connection due to improper lock washer installation. These actions are intended to detect loose or misaligned parts of the servo to prevent failure of the servo and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC or Commission) corrects its fee regulations in order to reference the Commission's recently finalized appeal rules contained in another subchapter.

The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, issues a final rule that amends regulations to reflect the abolishment of the Technology Administration and the resulting redelegations of authority.