September 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 401 - 418 of 418
Small-Scale Natural Gas Exports
The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) proposes to revise its regulations to provide that DOE will issue an export authorization upon receipt of any complete application that seeks to export natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), to countries with which the United States has not entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas and with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy (non-FTA countries), provided that the application satisfies the following two criteria: The application proposes to export natural gas in a volume up to and including 0.14 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day (Bcf/d), and DOE's approval of the application does not require an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In proposing this revision, DOE is interpreting the phrase ``public interest'' set forth in the Natural Gas Act (NGA). DOE proposes that applications that satisfy these criteria are requesting authorization for ``small-scale natural gas exports'' and, as such, the exports are deemed to be consistent with the public interest under the NGA. DOE's regulations regarding notice of applications and procedures conducted on applications would no longer apply to applications that satisfy these criteria. The proposed regulation is intended to expedite DOE's processing of these applications, thereby reducing administrative burdens for the small-scale natural gas export market.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2017 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
NMFS is temporarily closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna for vessels over 24 meters in overall length in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) through December 31, 2017, because the 2017 catch limit of 500 metric tons is expected to be reached. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding the applicable catch limit established by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C-17-01 (Conservation of Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean during 2017).
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Narrow Bay, Brookhaven, NY
The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Smith Point Bridge across Narrow Bay, mile 6.1, at Brookhaven, New York. This deviation is necessary in order to facilitate the annual 5K Run for Literacy and allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for one hour.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2017 Gulf of Alaska Pollock Seasonal Apportionments
NMFS is adjusting the 2017 C seasonal apportionments of the total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by re-apportioning unharvested pollock TAC in Statistical Areas 610, 620, and 630 of the GOA. This action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2017 pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This rulemaking clarifies VA's procedures for continuing to fund SSVF Program services in communities that have lost grants due to the non-renewal or termination of services of an existing award to a grantee. VA can now award the non-renewed or deobligated funds to other existing SSVF grantees in or near the affected community. This award of non-renewed or deobligated funds prevents potential access issues associated with grant termination. This rulemaking also reduces the number of satisfaction surveys grantees are required to provide to participants in order to reduce the burden on grantees and participants.
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P2, and -1B74/75/P2 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 blade retainer and subsequent in-flight shutdown of the engine. This proposed AD would require inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade retainer. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by analysis that resulted in the reduction of the life of the affected fan blades. This AD requires inspections of the affected fan blades until their removal. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
First Amendment to Collocation Agreement
In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB or Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, certain information collection requirements associated with Stipulation VII.C of the amendment to Appendix B in part 1 of the Commission's rules. This notice is consistent with the final rule notice published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2016, announcing the First Amendment to the Collocation Agreement amending the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of Wireless Antennas (Collocation Agreement), which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the new information collection requirements.
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR
The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Morrison Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.8, at Portland, Oregon. The deviation is necessary to accommodate Multnomah County's (bridge owner) replacement of the bridge decking. This deviation allows the bridge to only open half of the span, single leaf, to allow for the replacement of bridge decking. The deviation also allows the vertical clearance to be reduced due to the project's containment system.
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River at Portland, OR
The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Hawthorne Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 13.1, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the Race for the Cure event. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow safe roadway movement of event participants.
VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Guidelines
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a rule in the Federal Register on November 6, 2015, 80 FR 68795 that proposed amending its regulations governing the VA's Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Verification Program. The Verification Program has been the subject of reports from both the Government Accountability Office and VA's Office of Inspector General stating that despite VA's Verification Program, fraud still exists in the Veterans First Contracting Program. Some stakeholder feedback has been that the current regulation is too open to interpretation and is unnecessarily more rigorous than similar certification programs run by the United State Small Business Administration (SBA). The proposed rule sought to clarify the eligibility requirements for businesses to obtain ``verified'' status, added and revised definitions, reordered requirements, redefined the definition of ``control,'' and provided explanatory information on VA's examination and review processes and procedures. The proposed rule additionally sought to implement new changes to community property restrictions, unconditional ownership, and day-to-day requirements and full-time requirements. An exception for majority, supermajority, unanimous, and other voting provisions for extraordinary business decisions were also proposed. Comments to the proposed rule were to be provided to the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization on or before January 5, 2016. Due to the nature of the adverse comments received, VA has determined not to pursue implementation of the rule as originally proposed. Accordingly, this document withdraws the proposed rule.
Uniform License Renewal, Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission adopts rules to streamline and harmonize the Commission's license renewal and service continuity rules for the Wireless Radio Services (WRS). This unified regulatory framework includes: establishing a consistent standard for renewing wireless licenses; setting forth safe harbors providing expedited renewal for licensees that meet their initial term construction requirement and generally remain operating at or above that level; adopting consistent service continuity rules, which provide for automatic termination of any license on which a licensee permanently discontinues service or operation; eliminating unnecessary, legacy ``comparative renewal rules''; and requiring that when portions of geographic licenses are sold, both parties to the transaction have a clear construction obligation and penalty in the event of failure, closing a loophole used to avoid the Commission's construction requirements. This action will enhance competition and facilitate robust use of the nation's scarce spectrum resources.
Amendment of the Commission's Rules To Establish Uniform License Renewal, Discontinuance of Operation, and Geographic Partitioning and Spectrum Disaggregation Rules and Policies for Certain Wireless Radio Services
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks additional comment on a range of possible actions that may advance the Commission's goal of increasing the number of rural Americans with access to wireless communications services. In order to encourage investment in wireless networks, facilitate access to scarce spectrum resources, and promote the rapid deployment of mobile services to rural Americans, the Commission seeks comment on additional, reasonable construction obligations during renewal terms that are targeted to reach rural areas that lack adequate service.
Air Plan Approval; Indiana; Redesignation of the Indiana Portion of the Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-IN-KY Area to Attainment of the 1997 Annual Standard for Fine Particulate Matter
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is redesignating the Indiana portion of the Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-IN-KY, nonattainment area (hereafter, ``the Cincinnati-Hamilton area'') to attainment for the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) annual national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard). The Indiana portion of the Cincinnati-Hamilton area includes Lawrenceburg Township within Dearborn County. Because EPA has determined that the Cincinnati- Hamilton area is attaining this annual PM2.5 standard, EPA is redesignating the area to attainment and also approving several additional related actions. First, EPA is approving an update to the Indiana State implementation plan (SIP) by updating the state's approved plan for maintaining the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS through 2027. In addition, EPA previously approved the base year emissions inventory for the Cincinnati-Hamilton area, and is approving Indiana's updated emissions inventory which includes emissions inventories for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia. Indiana's approved maintenance plan submission also includes a budget for the mobile source contribution of PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) to the Cincinnati-Hamilton area for transportation conformity purposes, which EPA is approving. EPA is taking these actions in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's implementation rule regarding the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Year 2017; Emergency Removal of Southern Windowpane Accountability Measures
This emergency rule removes the 2017 southern windowpane flounder accountability measures for non-groundfish trawl vessels that were triggered as a result of a 2015 quota overage. The rule is necessary because new information indicates 2016 catch did not exceed the quota. This rule is intended to mitigate negative economic impacts to non-groundfish vessels, while maintaining conservation benefits for the southern windowpane flounder stock.
Safeguarding of Restricted Data by Access Permittees
The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) has revised its regulations governing the standards for safeguarding Restricted Data by access permittees. The previous version of this regulation was promulgated in 1983. Since 1983, changes in organizations, terminology, and DOE and national policies rendered portions of the previous regulation outdated. This version updates existing requirements.
Promoting Spectrum Access for Wireless Microphone Operations
In this document, the Commission addresses several petitions for reconsideration regarding recent decisions regarding wireless microphones. Specifically, the Commission makes technical revisions to the spurious emission limits that it had adopted for licensed wireless microphone operations in several frequency bands, and for unlicensed wireless microphone operations in the TV bands and in the 600 MHz guard band and duplex gap. The Commission also clarifies output power measurements and how certain antenna-related part 15 rules apply with respect to unlicensed wireless microphones, and revises and clarifies requirements for existing and legacy unlicensed wireless microphones during and after the post-incentive auction transition period. This action promotes the Commission's goal of accommodating wireless microphone users' needs through access to spectrum resources following the incentive auction and reconfiguration of the TV bands.
Promoting Spectrum Access for Wireless Microphone Operations
In this document, the Commission proposes to permit professional theater, music, performing arts, or similar organizations that operate wireless microphones on an unlicensed basis and that meet certain criteria to obtain a license to operate in the TV bands (and the 600 MHz service band during the post-auction transition period), thereby allowing them to register in the white spaces databases for interference protection from unlicensed white space devices at venues where their events/productions are performed. In addition, the Commission proposes to permit these same users, based on demonstrated need, also to obtain a license to operate on other bands available for use by wireless microphone licensees provided that they meet the applicable requirements for operating in those bands. This proposed action promotes the Commission's goal of accommodating wireless microphone users' needs through access to spectrum resources following the incentive auction and reconfiguration of the TV bands.
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