Minerals Management Service July 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The MMS is proposing new regulations implementing the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) governing the payment of royalty on geothermal resources produced from Federal leases and the payment of direct use fees in lieu of royalties. The EPAct provisions amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (GSA). The new regulations would amend the current MMS geothermal royalty valuation regulations and simplify the royalty calculations for geothermal resources for leases issued under the EPAct and leases whose terms are modified under the EPAct. The new regulations would also amend various related provisions in the MMS rules.

The Minerals Management Service hereby gives notice that it is extending the public comment period for written scoping comments on the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the Proposed Cape Wind Project which was published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2006, (71 FR 30693). In response to requests for additional time, MMS will extend the comment period from July 14, 2006, to July 28, 2006. Federal, State, tribal, and local governments and other interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the scope of the EIS, significant issues that should be addressed, and potential alternatives and mitigating measures. Written comments will be accepted by mail or through the MMS Web site noted below. Comments are due no later than July 28, 2006. Mailed comments should be enclosed in an envelope labeled, ``Comments on the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS on the Cape Wind Project.'' Mail written comments to: Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, MS 4042, Herndon, Virginia 20170. The MMS will also accept written comments submitted on our electronic public commenting system. This system can be accessed at https://www.mms.gov/offshore/ RenewableEnergy/Projects.htm.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 250, subpart O, ``Well Control and Production Safety Training.'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR parts 227Delegation to States; 228Cooperative Activities with States and Indian Tribes; and 229Delegation to States. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. This ICR is titled ``30 CFR Part 227 Delegation to States; 30 CFR Part 228Cooperative Activities with States and Indian Tribes; and 30 CFR Part 229Delegation to States.'' We changed the title of this ICR to clarify the regulatory language we are covering under 30 CFR parts 227, 228, and 229 and to reflect OMB approval of consolidation of two ICRs, titled: ICR 1010-0087: 30 CFR Part 228Cooperative Activities with States and Indian Tribes; and ICR 1010-0088: 30 CFR Part 227Delegation to States. In the two ICRs, much of the general information was repeated and cross-referenced. This consolidated ICR 1010-0087 eliminates that duplication of effort and redundancy of data and also includes 30 CFR part 229 information collection burden hours, which were not included in the previous information collections (ICRs 1010-0087 and 1010-0088).

The Director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is requesting nominations for three public representatives to serve on the Department's Royalty Policy Committee (RPC). These nominations may originate from state and local governments, universities, organizations, or individuals; they may include self-nominations.

MMS is proposing to amend its regulations to require lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way (ROW) holders to submit assessment information on the structural integrity of their OCS platforms each year, and to submit an inspection program to MMS yearly. Also, a damage report would be required if a facility or pipeline was damaged by a hurricane or other natural phenomena. Lessees, lease operators, and pipeline ROW holders proposing to use unbonded flexible pipe for pipelines, or to install pipeline risers on floating platforms, would have to provide additional information on their projects. The proposed rule also would incorporate an industry- developed standard concerning the in-service inspection of mooring hardware for floating drilling units. These proposed changes would allow MMS to better regulate the safety of the oil and gas infrastructure, and to promptly assess damage resulting from hurricanes or other natural phenomena.