July 29, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of August 12, 2014, for requests to amend slot records (adjust slot times and arrival/departure designations) at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the New York State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision establishes transportation conformity regulations for the State of New York. EPA is approving this revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

EPA is approving a request from Maine for an exemption from the requirements for the control of nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions contained in section 182(f) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) in relation to the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (standards or NAAQS). Maine's request, dated October 13, 2012, is based on a technical demonstration submitted to EPA by Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) showing that NOX emissions in Maine are not having a meaningful adverse impact on the ability of any nonattainment areas located in the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) to attain the ozone standards during times when elevated ozone levels are monitored in those areas. Specifically, Maine analyzed the nearest of these areas (i.e., the nonattainment areas in Massachusetts and Connecticut). Based on EPA's review of this technical demonstration, and other relevant information, we conclude that any additional reductions in NOX emissions in the State of Maine that would be required under the 2008 8-hour ozone standards, and which would be beyond what Maine's State Implementation Plan (SIP) regulations already provide for, would not produce net ozone air quality benefits in the OTR. Thus, EPA has determined that those emissions reductions may be exempted under the Act.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is proposing to amend the filing requirements for natural gas pipeline system maps. Under current regulations, natural gas pipelines must include a system map as part of their tariff on file with the Commission, and file an updated map by the following April for any year that there is a major change in the pipeline's system. Additionally, this map must be posted on the pipeline's own Web site. In order to reduce regulatory burden on these pipelines, the Commission proposes to eliminate the requirement to file a map as part of the tariff, leaving only the requirement to maintain a map on the pipeline's own Web site. Furthermore, in order to promote transparency, the Commission proposes to change the deadline for updating system maps. Currently, if a pipeline experiences a major change that renders its existing map obsolete, it must make a tariff filing no later than April 30 of the subsequent calendar year. The Commission proposes a quarterly deadline for updating pipeline maps.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by New York State to establish transportation conformity regulations. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.