Report on Potential Actions To Reduce Regulatory Burdens on Domestic Energy Production, 56192-56193 [2017-25554]

Download as PDF 56192 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 28, 2017 / Proposed Rules jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS which utilities are small businesses based on the number of employees that a utility and its affiliates employ.55 34. The proposed Reliability Standard PRC–027–1 (included in FERC–725G6) will apply to approximately 1,612 entities (334 transmission owners, 913 generator owners, and 365 distribution providers) in the United States.56 Pursuant to SBA regulations, the employment threshold for transmission is 500 employees, for generator owners is between 250 and 750 employees (depending on the fuel source), and for distribution providers is 1,000 employees. We estimate that the annual cost for each entity will be $1,048 for each generator owner and distribution provider and $5,507 for each transmission owner. 35. The proposed Reliability Standard PER–006–1 (included in FERC–725Y) will apply to approximately 875 generator operators in the United States. Pursuant to SBA regulations the employment threshold for generator operators is between 250 and 750 employees (depending on the fuel source). We estimate that the annual cost for each generator operator will be $719. 36. In addition, this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes the retirement of Reliability Standard PRC– 001–1.1(ii) (included in FERC–725A). That retirement would decrease the annual estimated cost for 875 generator operators by $4,585 each, for 177 transmission operators by $6,681 each, and for 99 balancing authorities by $2,885 each. For the generator operators affected by this retirement and the proposed Reliability Standard PER– 006–1, the net annual effect would be a decrease of $3,866 each. We estimate the net annual cost of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would vary, by type of entity, from an annual decrease of $6,681 (for each transmission operator) to an annual increase of $5,507 (for each transmission owner). We view this as a minimal economic impact for each entity. Accordingly, we certify that the proposed Reliability Standards PRC–027–1 and PER–006–1 and retirement of Reliability Standard PRC–001–1.1 (ii) will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. VI. Comment Procedures 37. The Commission invites interested persons to submit comments on the matters and issues proposed in this 55 13 CFR 121.201, Subsector 221. respondents serve multiple roles in the NERC compliance registry, so there is likely double counting in the estimates. 56 Many VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:25 Nov 27, 2017 Jkt 244001 notice to be adopted, including any related matters or alternative proposals that commenters may wish to discuss. Comments are due January 29, 2018. Comments must refer to Docket No. RM16–22–000, and must include the commenter’s name, the organization they represent, if applicable, and their address in their comments. 38. The Commission encourages comments to be filed electronically via the eFiling link on the Commission’s Web site at https://www.ferc.gov. The Commission accepts most standard word processing formats. Documents created electronically using word processing software should be filed in native applications or print-to-PDF format and not in a scanned format. Commenters filing electronically do not need to make a paper filing. 39. Commenters that are not able to file comments electronically must send an original of their comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. 40. All comments will be placed in the Commission’s public files and may be viewed, printed, or downloaded remotely as described in the Document Availability section below. Commenters on this proposal are not required to serve copies of their comments on other commenters. VII. Document Availability 41. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the Internet through the Commission’s Home Page (https:// www.ferc.gov) and in the Commission’s Public Reference Room during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426. 42. From the Commission’s Home Page on the Internet, this information is available on eLibrary. The full text of this document is available on eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. To access this document in eLibrary, type the docket number of this document, excluding the last three digits, in the docket number field. 43. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the Commission’s Web site during normal business hours from the Commission’s Online Support at (202) 502–6652 (toll free at 1–866–208–3676) or email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the Public Reference Room at (202) 502–8371, TTY (202) 502–8659. Email the Public Reference Room at public.referenceroom@ferc.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 By direction of the Commission. Issued November 16, 2017. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–25586 Filed 11–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers 33 CFR Chapter II Report on Potential Actions To Reduce Regulatory Burdens on Domestic Energy Production Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has issued a report that examined actions it could take to modify existing regulations that potentially burden the development and use of domestically produced energy resources, such as oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy, as well as renewable energy. The report was required by Executive Order 13783, Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. The report identifies changes that could be made to several nationwide permits that authorize activities under section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and section 404 the Clean Water Act that are associated with domestic energy production and use. ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW–CO–R, 441 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20314– 1000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Olson at 202–761–4922 or access the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Home Page at https:// www.usace.army.mil/Missions/ CivilWorks/ RegulatoryProgramandPermits.aspx. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order (E.O.) 13783, Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth, was published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2017 (82 FR 16093). That E.O. requires federal agencies to immediately review existing regulations that may burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources. Section 2 of E.O. 13783 requires federal agencies to prepare and issue reports with specific recommendations to change their regulations that could reduce or eliminate burdens to domestic energy production. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28NOP1.SGM 28NOP1 jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 28, 2017 / Proposed Rules On October 25, 2017, the Corps issued a report recommending changes to nine nationwide permits to reduce burdens on domestic energy producers. The report is available at: https:// www.usace.army.mil/Portals/2/docs/ civilworks/nwp/NWP_13783_ 25sept2017_castle.pdf?ver=2017-10-25092532-813. The Corps issues nationwide permits to authorize certain categories of activities that require Department of the Army permits under section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Nationwide permits are general permits that authorize activities across the country that result in no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. Nationwide permits can be issued for a period of 5 years, and the current nationwide permits were issued on December 21, 2016. Those nationwide permits were published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2017 (82 FR 1860) and went into effect on March 19, 2017. Those nationwide permits expire on March 18, 2022. There are 52 nationwide permits, and the report identifies 12 nationwide permits that authorize activities associated with domestic energy production and use. The report suggests modifications to nine of those nationwide permits to reduce burdens on domestic energy producers. The nine nationwide permits (NWPs) recommended for changes include: NWP 3, Maintenance; NWP 12, Utility Line Activities; NWP 17, Hydropower Projects; NWP 21, Surface Coal Mining Activities; NWP 39, Commercial and Institutional Developments; NWP 49, Coal Remining Activities; NWP 50, Underground Coal Mining Activities; NWP 51, Land-Based Renewable Energy Generation Projects; and NWP 52, Water-Based Renewable Energy Generation Pilot Projects. The Corps will coordinate with the administration to determine if the recommended changes in the report will be pursued. Any modifications to the nine nationwide permits identified in the report would require rulemaking to change those nationwide permits. That rulemaking process requires publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register to solicit comments on the proposed changes to the nationwide permits, evaluating the comments received, and issuing a final rule to modify those nationwide permits. Modification of those nationwide permits will also require, as applicable, water quality certifications under section 401 of the Clean Water Act and consistency VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:25 Nov 27, 2017 Jkt 244001 determinations under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Dated: November 17, 2017. Thomas P. Smith, Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division, Directorate of Civil Works. [FR Doc. 2017–25554 Filed 11–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 96 [GN Docket No. 17–258; FCC 17–134] Promoting Investment in the 3500– 3700 MHz Band Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes and seeks comment on reforms of its licensing rules governing Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the 3550–3700 MHz band (3.5 GHz Band). Specifically, the Commission proposes extending PAL license terms from three years to 10 years, with the possibility for renewal; seeks comment on increasing the PAL geographic licensing area; proposes to allow portioning and disaggregation of PALs on the secondary market; and proposes to amend the rules governing assignment of PALs. The Commission also proposes to remove a rule requiring public disclosure of device registration information, and seeks comment on changes to the technical rules to allow operation over wider bandwidths. DATES: Interested parties may file comments on or before December 28, 2017, and reply comments on or before January 29, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by GN Docket No. 17–258, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS): https:// fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Generally, if more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Commenters are only required to file copies in GN Docket No. 13–111. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 56193 • Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. • All hand-delivered or messengerdelivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St. SW., Room TW–A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. • Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. • U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202– 418–0432 (TTY). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Greffenius, Jessica.Greffenius@ fcc.gov, of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division, (202) 418–2896. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in GN Docket No. 17–258, FCC 17–134, released on October 24, 2017. The complete text of the NPRM is available for viewing via the Commission’s ECFS Web site by entering the docket number, GN Docket No. 17–258. The complete text of the NPRM is also available for public inspection and copying from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday through Thursday or from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET on Fridays in the FCC Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 202– 488–5300, fax 202–488–5563. Alternative formats are available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), by sending an email to FCC504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY). The proceeding this NPRM initiates shall be treated as a ‘‘permit-but- E:\FR\FM\28NOP1.SGM 28NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56192-56193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25554]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

33 CFR Chapter II


Report on Potential Actions To Reduce Regulatory Burdens on 
Domestic Energy Production

AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has issued a report 
that examined actions it could take to modify existing regulations that 
potentially burden the development and use of domestically produced 
energy resources, such as oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy, 
as well as renewable energy. The report was required by Executive Order 
13783, Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. The report 
identifies changes that could be made to several nationwide permits 
that authorize activities under section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors 
Act of 1899 and section 404 the Clean Water Act that are associated 
with domestic energy production and use.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20314-1000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Olson at 202-761-4922 or 
access the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Home Page at https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/RegulatoryProgramandPermits.aspx.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order (E.O.) 13783, Promoting 
Energy Independence and Economic Growth, was published in the Federal 
Register on March 31, 2017 (82 FR 16093). That E.O. requires federal 
agencies to immediately review existing regulations that may burden the 
development or use of domestically produced energy resources. Section 2 
of E.O. 13783 requires federal agencies to prepare and issue reports 
with specific recommendations to change their regulations that could 
reduce or eliminate burdens to domestic energy production.

[[Page 56193]]

    On October 25, 2017, the Corps issued a report recommending changes 
to nine nationwide permits to reduce burdens on domestic energy 
producers. The report is available at: https://www.usace.army.mil/Portals/2/docs/civilworks/nwp/NWP_13783_25sept2017_castle.pdf?ver=2017-10-25-092532-813.
    The Corps issues nationwide permits to authorize certain categories 
of activities that require Department of the Army permits under section 
404 of the Clean Water Act and/or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors 
Act of 1899. Nationwide permits are general permits that authorize 
activities across the country that result in no more than minimal 
individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. Nationwide 
permits can be issued for a period of 5 years, and the current 
nationwide permits were issued on December 21, 2016. Those nationwide 
permits were published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2017 (82 
FR 1860) and went into effect on March 19, 2017. Those nationwide 
permits expire on March 18, 2022. There are 52 nationwide permits, and 
the report identifies 12 nationwide permits that authorize activities 
associated with domestic energy production and use. The report suggests 
modifications to nine of those nationwide permits to reduce burdens on 
domestic energy producers.
    The nine nationwide permits (NWPs) recommended for changes include: 
NWP 3, Maintenance; NWP 12, Utility Line Activities; NWP 17, Hydropower 
Projects; NWP 21, Surface Coal Mining Activities; NWP 39, Commercial 
and Institutional Developments; NWP 49, Coal Remining Activities; NWP 
50, Underground Coal Mining Activities; NWP 51, Land-Based Renewable 
Energy Generation Projects; and NWP 52, Water-Based Renewable Energy 
Generation Pilot Projects.
    The Corps will coordinate with the administration to determine if 
the recommended changes in the report will be pursued. Any 
modifications to the nine nationwide permits identified in the report 
would require rulemaking to change those nationwide permits. That 
rulemaking process requires publishing a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register to solicit comments on the proposed changes to the nationwide 
permits, evaluating the comments received, and issuing a final rule to 
modify those nationwide permits. Modification of those nationwide 
permits will also require, as applicable, water quality certifications 
under section 401 of the Clean Water Act and consistency determinations 
under the Coastal Zone Management Act.

    Dated: November 17, 2017.
Thomas P. Smith,
Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division, Directorate of Civil Works.
[FR Doc. 2017-25554 Filed 11-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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