Department of Agriculture April 15, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) establishes procedures for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to adopt revisions to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and to the 2004 energy codes of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), referred to as ASHRAE 90.1-2004, subject to: (1) A determination that the revised codes do not negatively affect the availability or affordability of new construction of single and multifamily housing covered by EISA, and (2) a determination by the Secretary of Energy that the revised codes ``would improve energy efficiency.'' \1\ This Notice announces the preliminary determination of HUD and USDA, as required under section 481(d) of EISA, that the 2009 IECC and (with the exception of the State of Hawaii) ASHRAE 90.1-2007 will not negatively affect the affordability and availability of housing covered by EISA. As of September 2013, 32 States plus the District of Columbia have already adopted the 2009 IECC, its equivalent, or a higher standard for single family homes. Thirty-eight States plus the District of Columbia have already adopted ASHRAE 90.1-2007, its equivalent, or a higher standard for multifamily buildings. For those States that have not yet adopted either of these standards, this Notice relies on several studies that show that these codes are cost effective, in that the incremental cost of the additional efficiency measures pays for itself with energy cost savings on a life-cycle basis.

The designations of the official agencies listed below will end on September 30, 2014. We are asking persons or governmental agencies interested in providing official services in the areas presently served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. In addition, we are asking for comments on the quality of services provided by the following designated agencies: Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (Aberdeen); Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc. (Hastings); John R. McCrea Agency, Inc. (McCrea); Missouri Department of Agriculture (Missouri); and South Carolina Department of Agriculture (South Carolina).

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.

The Secretary of Agriculture intends to establish the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Council (Council) pursuant to Section 5(d) of the National Trails System Act (Act) (Pub. L. 90-543), as amended through (Pub. L. 111-11) (16 U.S.C. 1241 to 1251). The Council is being established to provide advice and recommendations on matters relating to the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (Pacific Northwest Trail) including, but not limited to, the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan, selection of rights-of-way, standards for the erection and maintenance of markers along the Trail, and interpretation of the Trail. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered as Council members. The public is invited to submit nominations for membership.