Department of Transportation September 25, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NHTSA has prepared a DEIS to disclose and analyze the potential environmental impacts of proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year (MY) 2012-2016 passenger cars and light trucks, which NHTSA recently proposed pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and a reasonable range of alternative standards. To inform decisionmakers and the public, the DEIS compares the potential environmental impacts of the proposed standards and alternative standards reflecting a full range of stringencies, and it analyzes direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts in proportion to their significance. The DEIS provides a detailed analysis of potential impacts on energy resources, air quality, and climate. The DEIS uses climate modeling and NHTSA's own computer model (known as the ``Volpe model'') to provide quantitative estimates of potential impacts on air quality, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, global mean surface temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise. The DEIS provides a qualitative analysis of resources that may be impacted by changes in climate, such as freshwater resources, terrestrial ecosystems, coastal ecosystems, land use, human health, and environmental justice. It examines these impacts on the U.S. and on a global scale. In addition, the DEIS analyzes potential environmental impacts unrelated to climate change.

We are revising an earlier supplemental NPRM for the products listed above. This action revises the earlier supplemental NPRM by expanding the scope. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: It has been found the occurrence of engine anti-ice system valve failure, where the valve spring seat has broken and obstructed the anti-ice system venturi tube. Therefore, should the aircraft encounter icing conditions, ice may accrete in the engine inlet lip and be ingested through the air inlet, resulting in possible engine damage and flame-

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-300, and 747SR series airplanes. The original NPRM proposed to require installation of a closeout panel and moisture curtains for the main equipment center. The original NPRM also proposed to require changing the drain tubes for the power drive units (PDU) and the pitot static tubes and installing larger moisture shrouds. The original NPRM resulted from a report of water contamination in the electrical and electronic units in the main equipment center. This action revises the original NPRM by adding airplanes to the applicability and removing certain others, and removing certain requirements. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent the malfunction of one or more electrical and electronic units in the main equipment center, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

This action confirms the effective date of an airspace action, which was previously published as a direct final rule in the Federal Register, for the Macon County Airport in Franklin, NC.

This action confirms the effective date of an airspace action, which was previously published as a direct final rule in the Federal Register, for the Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, PR.