June 16, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to stay for two years certain requirements that are contained within the Final Rule titled ``Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources,'' published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016 (2016 Rule). On June 5, 2017, the EPA published a notice that it stayed for three months the; fugitive emissions requirements, well site pneumatic pump standards, and the requirements for certification of closed vent systems by a professional engineer in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EPA has granted reconsideration based on specific objections to these requirements. The proposed stay discussed in this action, which follows the three-month stay, would provide the EPA sufficient time to propose, take public comment, and issue a final action on the issues concerning the specific requirements on which EPA has granted reconsideration. During this time, the EPA also plans to complete its reconsideration process for all remaining issues raised in these reconsideration petitions regarding fugitive emissions, pneumatic pumps, and certification by professional engineer requirements. The EPA acknowledges that the administrative reconsideration petitions include additional issues regarding these three requirements other than the issues for which we specifically have granted reconsideration. In addition, since the publication of the 2016 Rule, the EPA has received numerous questions relative to the implementation of these three requirements. During the reconsideration proceeding, the EPA intends to look broadly at the entire 2016 Rule. The EPA believes that addressing all of these issues at the same time would provide clarity and certainty for the public and the regulated community with regard to these requirements. The EPA is seeking comment pertaining to this stay and its duration and impact. The EPA is not taking comment at this time on substantive issues concerning these requirements, or on any of the other provisions subject to the reconsideration.

On November 1, 2016, the Department of Education published final regulations entitled Student Assistance General Provisions, Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program (the final regulations) in the Federal Register. On May 24, 2017, the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) filed a Complaint and Prayer for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Court). In light of the existence and potential consequences of the pending litigation, the Department has concluded that justice requires it to postpone certain provisions of the final regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), pending judicial review. The provisions to be postponed are listed in detail in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

We announce our intention to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations for the Federal Student Aid programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The committees will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are significantly affected by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. We also announce two public hearings at which interested parties may comment on the topics suggested by the Department and may suggest additional topics that should be considered for action by the negotiating committees. In addition, we announce that the Department will accept written comments on the topics suggested by the Department and suggestions for additional topics that should be considered for action by the negotiating committees.

The Coast Guard will enforce certain safety zones located in federal regulations for recurring marine events. This action is necessary and intended for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during this event. During each enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the respective safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

The Coast Guard is proposing to amend its proposing regarding a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of Commencement Bay for the 2017 World Water Ski Racing Championships. This special local regulation would prohibit non-participant persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the race area and prohibits vessels from transiting at speeds that cause wake within the spectator area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Puget Sound or a Designated Representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

On June 1, 2017, the Coast Guard published a notification of tribal consultation regarding government to government consultation on a notice of proposed rulemaking entitled ``Anchorages; Captain of the Port Puget Sound Zone, WA.'' As stated in that notification, the address of the tribal consultation was to be determined. The tribal consultation will take place in Suquamish, WA. As before, the Coast Guard encourages all interested tribes to R.S.V.P. to the formal consultation to be held on July 13, 2017, and provide information on which treaty rights are impacted and how the Coast Guard should consider these rights in its rulemaking analysis.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to stay for three months certain requirements that are contained within the Final Rule titled ``Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources,'' published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016 (2016 Rule). On June 5, 2017, the EPA published a notice that, in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA), the EPA stayed for three initial months the fugitive emissions requirements, well site pneumatic pump standards, and requirements for certification of closed vent systems by a professional engineer. The EPA granted reconsideration after considering specific objections to these requirements. In a separate notice published today, the EPA is proposing a stay for two years, providing the EPA sufficient time to propose, take public comment, and issue a final action on the issues concerning the specific requirements on which EPA has granted reconsideration. The two-year proposed stay published today, if finalized as proposed, would likely be determined to be a major rule under the Congressional Review Act and therefore will not take effect until sixty days after publication or after Congress receives the rule report, whichever is later. Therefore, while the EPA intends to complete that rulemaking and take final action before the initial three-month stay expires, there may potentially be a gap between the two stays due to the sixty-day delay in effectiveness of that action. To avoid such a potential gap, and the resulting confusion, in this action the EPA is proposing a three-month stay which would not qualify as a major rule and could become effective upon publication. The EPA prepared an Economic Impact Analysis for this proposal, which is available in Docket ID EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0346. The EPA is seeking comment pertaining to this stay and its duration. The EPA is also seeking comment on if a four-month stay may be more appropriate to ensure continuity of the stay. The EPA is not taking comment at this time on substantive issues concerning these requirements, or on any of the other provisions subject to the reconsideration.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC, or Commission) seeks suggestions for ways the Commission could potentially reduce burdens and costs of its existing rules, regulations, or practices without harming consumers.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-02- 12, which applies to all EADS CASA (now Airbus Defense and Space S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. AD 2013-02-12 currently requires a one-time inspection to identify the correct polarity for each pair of electrical connectors on each engine fire extinguisher cartridge, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2013-02-12, we have determined it is necessary to add a requirement for modifying the installation of the fire extinguisher circuit harness. This proposed AD would continue to require identifying the correct polarity of each pair of electrical connectors of the affected engine fire extinguisher cartridge, and doing a repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also require modifying the installation of the fire extinguisher circuit harnesses. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes to streamline, consolidate, and harmonize rules governing earth stations in motion (ESIMs) used to provide satellite- based services on ships, airplanes and vehicles communicating with geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO), fixed-satellite service (FSS) satellite systems.

In response to petitions for reconsideration of the final rule on lease and interchange of passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) published on May 27, 2015 and effective on July 27, 2015, FMCSA intends to revise the regulations to address ``chartering'' (subcontracting) and the 48-hour delay in preparing a lease. FMCSA is requesting public comment on the proposed responses to the petitions discussed below. In a final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FMCSA extends the compliance date for the 2015 final rule from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2019.