Department of Energy March 28, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for site selection for expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Some potential sites for expansion or new development of the Reserve and for pipeline rights-of-way are located in floodplains or wetlands. DOE hereby gives early notice that it will include in the Draft EIS a floodplain and wetland assessment prepared in accordance with the DOE Regulations for Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review Requirements (10 CFR Part 1022) and provides for early public input.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 intends to extend for three years, an information collection package with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the Human Reliability Program (HRP), OMB Control Number 1910-5122. The collections consist of forms that will certify to DOE that respondents were advised of the requirements for occupying or continuing to occupy a HRP position. The HRP is a security and safety reliability program for individuals who apply for or occupy certain positions that are critical to the national security. It requires an initial and annual supervisory review, medical assessment, management evaluation, and a DOE personnel security review of all applicants or incumbents. It is also used to ensure that employees assigned to nuclear explosive duties do not have emotional, mental, or physical conditions that could result in an accidental or unauthorized detonation of nuclear explosives. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is issuing this final order concluding its second five-year review of the oil pricing index, established in Order No. 561, Revisions to Oil Pipeline Regulations Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, FERC Stats. & Regs. [Regs. Preambles, 1991-1996] ] 30,985 (1993). After consideration of all the initial, reply and supplemental comments, the Commission has concluded that the PPI+1.3 index should be established for the five-year period commencing July 1, 2006. At the end of this period, in July 2011, the Commission will once again review the index to determine whether it continues to measure adequately the cost changes in the oil pipeline industry.