July 13, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine a claimant's entitlement to possible accrued benefits.

On Friday, May 15, 2015, The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), published a notice in the Federal Register announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection Notice of Lapse & Application for Reinstatement. This notice (FR Vol. 80, Number 94, May 15, 2015) was published in error; therefore this document corrects that error by withdrawing this FR notice, document number 2015-28050-28051.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to approve a revision to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from Large Confined Animal Facilities. We are approving a local rule to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted on August 22, 2013 by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on behalf of the State of Maryland. This revision pertains to Maryland's major nonattainment New Source Review (NSR) program, notably preconstruction permitting requirements for sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its procedures for processing criminal restitution orders to: (1) Require an enforcement letter from the Department of Justice stating that restitution has been ordered under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act; and (2) provide that the Agency will treat a judgment ordering restitution under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act as a final judgment. The Agency also proposes to make two technical corrections.

This proposed rule would replace Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 3, Site Security (Order 3), with new regulations that would be codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Order 3 establishes minimum standards for oil and gas facility site security. It includes provisions intended to ensure that oil and gas produced from Federal and Indian (except Osage Tribe) oil and gas leases are properly and securely handled, so as to ensure accurate measurement, production accountability, and royalty payments, and to prevent theft and loss. Order 3 was issued in 1989. The changes proposed as part of this proposed rule would allow the BLM to strengthen its policies governing production verification and accountability by updating Order 3's requirements to address changes in technology and industry practices that have occurred in the 25 years since Order 3 was issued, and to respond to recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) with respect to the BLM's production verification efforts. The proposed rule addresses Facility Measurement Points (FMPs), site facility diagrams, the use of seals, bypasses around meters, documentation, recordkeeping, commingling, off- lease measurement, and the reporting of incidents of unauthorized removal or mishandling of oil and condensate. The proposed rule also identifies certain acts of noncompliance that would result in an immediate assessment. Finally, it sets forth a process for the BLM to consider variances from the requirements of this proposed regulation. The BLM believes these proposed changes will enhance its overall production verification and accountability efforts. As part of those efforts, the BLM also anticipates that it will separately propose new regulations to update and replace Onshore Oil and Gas Orders Nos. 4 (Order 4) and 5 (Order 5) related to measurement of oil and gas, respectively.

EPA and NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, are each proposing rules to establish a comprehensive Phase 2 Heavy- Duty (HD) National Program that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption for new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. This technology-advancing program would phase in over the long-term, beginning in the 2018 model year and culminating in standards for model year 2027, responding to the President's directive on February 18, 2014, to develop new standards that will take us well into the next decade. NHTSA's proposed fuel consumption standards and EPA's proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards are tailored to each of four regulatory categories of heavy-duty vehicles: Combination tractors; trailers used in combination with those tractors; heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans; and vocational vehicles. The proposal also includes separate standards for the engines that power combination tractors and vocational vehicles. Certain proposed requirements for control of GHG emissions are exclusive to EPA programs. These include EPA's proposed hydrofluorocarbon standards to control leakage from air conditioning systems in vocational vehicles, and EPA's proposed nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) standards for heavy-duty engines. Additionally, NHTSA is addressing misalignment in the Phase 1 standards between EPA and NHTSA to ensure there are no differences in compliance standards between the agencies. In an effort to promote efficiency, the agencies are also proposing to amend their rules to modify reporting requirements, such as the method by which manufacturers submit pre-model, mid-model, and supplemental reports. EPA's proposed HD Phase 2 GHG emission standards are authorized under the Clean Air Act and NHTSA's proposed HD Phase 2 fuel consumption standards authorized under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. These standards would begin with model year 2018 for trailers under EPA standards and 2021 for all of the other heavy-duty vehicle and engine categories. The agencies estimate that the combined standards would reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1 billion metric tons and save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of vehicles and engines sold during the Phase 2 program, providing over $200 billion in net societal benefits. As noted, the proposal also includes certain EPA-specific provisions relating to control of emissions of pollutants other than GHGs. EPA is seeking comment on non- GHG emission standards relating to the use of auxiliary power units installed in tractors. In addition, EPA is proposing to clarify the classification of natural gas engines and other gaseous-fueled heavy- duty engines, and is proposing closed crankcase standards for emissions of all pollutants from natural gas heavy-duty engines. EPA is also proposing technical amendments to EPA rules that apply to emissions of non-GHG pollutants from light-duty motor vehicles, marine diesel engines, and other nonroad engines and equipment. Finally, EPA is proposing to require that rebuilt engines installed in new incomplete vehicles meet the emission standards applicable in the year of assembly, including all applicable standards for criteria pollutants.