August 1, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On March 22, 2011, and May 3, 2012, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (KDAQ), submitted revisions to the Kentucky State Implementation Plan (SIP) on behalf of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (District). At this time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve several portions of the submissions that modify the District's air quality regulations as incorporated into the SIP. The revisions to the regulatory portion of the SIP that EPA is proposing to approve pertain to changes to the District's air quality standards for lead (Pb), particulate matter (both PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) to reflect the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), definitional changes, and regulatory consolidation. EPA is proposing to approve these portions of the SIP revisions because the Commonwealth has demonstrated that these changes are consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). EPA will act on the other portions of KDAQ's March 22, 2011, and May 3, 2012, submittals in a separate action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Modoc County Air Pollution Control District (MCAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern MCAPCD's administrative and procedural requirements to obtain preconstruction permits that regulate emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act). We are approving local rules under the CAA.

Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018, and redesignating Syria for TPS for 18 months, effective October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018. The extension allows TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 31, 2018, so long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. The redesignation of Syria allows additional individuals who have been continuously residing in the United States since August 1, 2016 to obtain TPS, if otherwise eligible. The Secretary has determined that an extension of the current designation and a redesignation of Syria for TPS are warranted because the ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the 2015 TPS redesignation have not only persisted, but have deteriorated, and because the ongoing armed conflict in Syria and other extraordinary and temporary conditions would pose a serious threat to the personal safety of Syrian nationals if they were required to return to their country. Through this Notice, DHS also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Syria (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) either to: (1) Re-register under the extension if they already have TPS and to apply for renewal of their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); or, (2) submit an initial registration application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD. For individuals who have already been granted TPS under the 2012 original Syria designation or under the 2013 or 2015 Syria redesignations, the 60-day re-registration period runs from August 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016. USCIS will issue new EADs with a March 31, 2018 expiration date to eligible Syria TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on September 30, 2016. Accordingly, through this Notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Syria for 6 months, through March 31, 2017, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended and their impact on Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and E-Verify processes. Under the redesignation, individuals who currently do not have TPS (or an initial TPS application pending) may submit an initial application during the 180-day initial registration period that runs from August 1, 2016 through January 30, 2017. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since August 1, 2016 and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this redesignation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since October 1, 2016, the effective date of this redesignation of Syria, before USCIS may grant them TPS. TPS initial applications that were either filed during the 2013 redesignation or during the 2015 Syria redesignation and remain pending on August 1, 2016 will be treated as initial applications under this 2016 redesignation. Individuals who have a pending initial Syria TPS application will not need to file a new Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821). DHS provides additional instructions in this Notice for individuals whose TPS applications remain pending and who would like to obtain an EAD valid through March 31, 2018.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) portions of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from stationary gas turbines, boilers, steam generators, and process heaters. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to Regulation 2, Rules 1 and 2 for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on April 22, 2013. These revisions consist of significant updates to rules governing the issuance of permits for stationary sources, including review and permitting of major sources and major modifications under parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Under the authority of the CAA, this action simultaneously approves a local rule that regulates permit requirements for stationary sources and directs the BAAQMD to correct rule deficiencies.

NASA is issuing a final rule amending the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NFS) to clarify NASA's award fee process by incorporating terms used in award fee contracting; guidance relative to final award fee evaluations; release of source selection information; and the calculation of the provisional award fee payment percentage in NASA end-item award fee contracts.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to fully approve revisions to the State of Maine's State Implementation Plan (SIP) relating to the regulation of fine particulate matter (that is, particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometer, generally referred to as ``PM2.5'') within the context of Maine's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. EPA is also taking direct final action on other minor changes to Maine's PSD program. Actions related to this direct final rulemaking are being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. This revision pertains to Maryland's adoption of the requirements in EPA's control technique guidelines (CTG) for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise the regulatory definition of volatile organic compounds (VOC) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This proposed revision would add 1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoro-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) ethane (also known as HFE-347pcf2; CAS number 406-78-0) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of VOC on the basis that this compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, we are making this same amendment as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve the Missouri State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted to EPA by the State of Missouri on August 5, 2014, documenting that the State's existing plan is making adequate progress to achieve visibility goals by 2018. The Missouri SIP revision addressed the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to submit a report describing progress in achieving reasonable progress goals (RPGs) to improve visibility in Federally designated areas in nearby states that may be affected by emissions from sources in Missouri. EPA is taking final action to approve Missouri's determination that the existing Regional Haze (RH) SIP is adequate to meet the visibility goals and requires no substantive revision at this time.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this final rule to establish, for State Unemployment Compensation (UC) program purposes, occupations that regularly conduct drug testing. These regulations implement the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (the Act) amendments to the Social Security Act (SSA), permitting States to enact legislation that would allow State UC agencies to conduct drug testing on UC applicants for whom suitable work (as defined under the State law) is available only in an occupation that regularly conducts drug testing (as determined under regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary)). States may deny UC to an applicant who tests positive for drug use under these circumstances. The Secretary is required under the SSA to issue regulations determining those occupations that regularly conduct drug testing.

The Commission hereby gives notice that it has instituted reviews pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (``the Act''), as amended, to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty orders on certain polyester staple fiber from Korea and Taiwan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. Pursuant to the Act, interested parties are requested to respond to this notice by submitting the information specified below to the Commission.