Department of Transportation August 24, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the recently enacted Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the Department of Transportation (DOT) announces the availability of funding authorized in the amount of $17.525 million in Federal fiscal year (FY) 2013 funds to provide grants to States for enacting and enforcing distracted driving laws. The FY 2013 funds are subject to an annual obligation limitation that may be established in appropriations law. Therefore, the amount available for the grants in FY 2013 may be less than the amount identified above. A State's distracted driving law must meet statutorily-specified criteria in order for the State to receive a grant. States that are awarded grants also must follow post-award grant requirements. This notice describes the statutorily-specified criteria, the application requirements and the administrative requirements for the Distracted Driving Grant Program. The Department is publishing this notice to give States an opportunity to submit applications for the newly authorized distracted driving grants as soon as possible in FY 2013. Funds for this grant program are authorized beginning on October 1, 2012.

This action extends the closing and award dates for a Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center in the Mid-Atlantic Region that was published on July 20, 2012, 77 FR 42790. USDOT OSDBU is extending the closing date to allow eligible entities time to adequately submit a proposal.

The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is denying the petition of Plant Oil Powered Diesel Fuel Systems, Inc. (``POP Diesel'') to amend the final rules establishing fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. NHTSA does not believe that POP Diesel has set forth a basis for rulemaking. The agency disagrees with the petitioner's assertion that a failure to specifically consider pure vegetable oil, and technology to enable its usage, as a feasible technology in heavy-duty vehicles, led to the adoption of less stringent standards. NHTSA also disagrees with POP's assertion that the agency failed to adequately consider the rebound effect in setting the standards.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 18, 2012, vol. 77, no. 97, page 29748-29749. The information will determine if applicant proposals for conducting commercial space launches can be accomplished according to regulations issued by the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BRP- Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3; and 912 S4 reciprocating engines. This AD requires replacing the pressure side fuel hose on certain fuel pumps and inspecting the carburetors connected to those fuel pumps for contamination within 5 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. This AD was prompted by reports of fuel pumps having pressure side fuel hoses not meeting the design specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent pressure side fuel hose deterioration and contamination of the carburetor, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown, forced landing and damage to the airplane.