January 26, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On November 27, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested information related to hazardous air pollutant emissions from sources in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas transmission and storage segments of the oil and natural gas sector. The deadline to respond to our request was January 26, 2016. In response to requests from several stakeholders, the EPA is extending the period to respond to our request for information to March 11, 2016.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulations concerning Fisher House and other temporary lodging furnished by VA while a veteran is experiencing an episode of care at a VA medical facility. Such lodging is generally furnished to veterans' relatives, close friends, and caregivers at no cost, because VA's experience has shown that veterans' treatment outcomes are improved by having loved ones nearby. The proposed rule updates current regulations and better describes the application process for this lodging. The proposed rule generally reflects current VA policy and practice.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. Paragraph (i)(4) of the regulatory text contains a reference to a nonexistent paragraph. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This action proposes to remove Class D airspace at Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA. FAA Joint Order 7400.2K states that non-towered airports requiring a surface area will be designated Class E. Class E surface area airspace was established on December 10, 2015. The FAA is proposing this action due to the lack of an operating air traffic control tower at Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, WA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions from the State of Montana to demonstrate the State meets infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (Act or CAA) for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) promulgated for ozone on March 12, 2008, lead (Pb) on October 15, 2008, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on January 22, 2010, sulfur dioxide (SO2) on June 2, 2010 and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on December 14, 2012. EPA is also proposing to approve 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) for the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is proposing to conditionally approve CAA section 110(a)(2)(C) and (J) with regard to PSD and element 3 of 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) for the 2008 ozone, 2008 Pb, 2010 NO2, 2010 SO2, and 2006 and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is proposing to disapprove element 4 of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) for the 2008 ozone, 2010 NO2, 2010 SO2, and 2006 and 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is proposing to approve SIP revisions the State submitted to update Montana's PSD program and provisions regarding state boards. Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36, MU-2B-36A, and MU-2B-60 airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as reports of cracks found in the attach fittings of the main landing gear oleo strut. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer informing us that the inspection criteria and repair procedures in the maintenance manual for aft bolt holes of the high- pressure compressor (HPC) cone shaft on the affected engines is incorrect. This AD requires inspection of the HPC cone shaft and repair of affected parts, if needed. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC cone shaft, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is proposing to issue nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations replacing its regulation which implemented Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Signed by President Obama on July 22, 2014, WIOA supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) as the Department's primary mechanism for providing financial assistance for a comprehensive system of job training and placement services for adults and eligible youth. Section 188 of WIOA prohibits the exclusion of an individual from participation in, denial of the benefits of, discrimination in, or denial of employment in the administration of or in connection with, any programs and activities funded or otherwise financially assisted in whole or in part under Title I of WIOA because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and for beneficiaries only, citizenship status, or participation in a program or activity that receives financial assistance under Title I of WIOA. These proposed regulations would update the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulation consistent with current law and address its application to current workforce development and workplace practices and issues. Most of the provisions of WIOA took effect on July 1, 2015, except where otherwise specified in the law. WIOA contains the identical provisions of Section 188 as appeared in WIA, and these WIOA provisions took effect on July 1, 2015. To ensure no regulatory gap while this proposed rulemaking progresses toward a final rule, the Department issued a final rule implementing Section 188 of WIOA, which applies until issuance of the final rule based on this NPRM. The final rule issued separately in July 2015 retains the provisions in part 37 but substitutes all references to WIA with WIOA to reflect the proper statutory authority. This NPRM revises the final rule issued in July 2015. This NPRM generally carries over the policies and procedures found in Department regulations, which implement the equal opportunity and nondiscrimination provisions of WIA and WIOA. Like the final rule issued separately in July 2015, this rule is organized by the same subparts A through E, and refers to ``changes'' or ``revisions'' made to the final rule. Certain sections in each subpart have significant revisions.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-113, A319-114, A320-211, and A320-212 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the aft mount pylon bolts of the CFM56-5 engines may have been installed using the wrong torque values. This AD requires identification of engines that were installed using the wrong torque values and re-torque of the four aft mount pylon bolts of those engines. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper torque of the aft mount pylon bolts, which, if combined with any maintenance damage, could lead to aft engine mount failure, possibly resulting in engine detachment and consequent reduced control of the airplane.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is increasing small business size standards for 209 industries in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sector 31-33, Manufacturing. SBA is also modifying the size standard for NAICS 324110, Petroleum Refiners, by increasing the refining capacity component of the size standard to 200,000 barrels per calendar day for businesses that are primarily engaged in petroleum refining and by eliminating the requirement that 90 percent of the output to be delivered be refined by the successful bidder from either crude oil or bona fide feedstocks. The Agency is also updating Footnote 5 to NAICS 326211 to reflect the current Census Product Classification Codes 3262111 and 3262113. As part of its ongoing comprehensive size standards review, SBA evaluated employee based size standards for all 364 industries in NAICS Sector 31-33 to determine whether they should be retained or revised. This rule is one of a series of rules that result from SBA's review of size standards of industries grouped by NAICS Sector.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

In accordance with Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' and Executive Order 13610, ``Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens,'' the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is continuing to review its regulatory programs and evaluate their burdens and their effectiveness. As part of this effort, USDA welcomes public comment on which regulations should be modified, expanded, streamlined, or repealed to make the USDA's regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory objectives. The 2015 Fall Regulatory Agenda provides a summary of the USDA regulations under development or review during the coming year. Similarly, USDA's 2015 Statement of Regulatory Priorities provides a list of important regulatory actions that USDA is considering for issuance in proposed or final form during the 2016 fiscal year.