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RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading Coils
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: January 31, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 21)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4679-4680]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja02-26]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1755
RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading Coils
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to amend its
regulations on Telecommunications Standards and Specifications for
Materials, Equipment and Construction, by rescinding the current issue
of RUS Bulletin 345-22, RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading
Coils, PE-26. This specification has become outdated because of
advancements made in the delivery of telecommunications services to
rural subscribers. This bulletin is incorporated by reference in RUS
telecommunications regulations. Therefor, RUS is requesting public
comments on this proposed rescission.
DATES: Comments concerning this proposed rule shall be received by RUS
or be postmarked no later than April 1, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Gerald F. Nugent, Jr.,
Director, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598. RUS requests an original and
three copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700). All comments received
will be made available for public inspection at room 2905, South
Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW., STOP 1598 Washington, DC between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (7 CFR
1.27(b)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie I. Harper, Jr., Chief, Outside
Plant Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598, telephone (202) 720-0667.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule is exempt from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) review for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and,
therefore has not been reviewed by OMB.
Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,
Civil Justice Reform. RUS has determined that this proposed rule meets
the applicable standards provided in section 3 of that Executive Order.
In addition, all State and local laws and regulations that are in
conflict with this rule will be preempted, no retroactive effect will
be given to this rule, and, in accordance with section 212(e) of the
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C.
6912(e)), administrative appeal procedures, if any, must be exhausted
before an action against the Department or its agencies may be
initiated.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
RUS has determined that this proposed rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities,
as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
The RUS telecommunications program provides loans to borrowers at
interest rates and on terms that are more favorable than those
generally available from the private sector. RUS borrowers, as result
of obtaining federal financing, receive economic benefits that exceed
any direct economic costs associated with complying with RUS
regulations and requirements. Small entities are not subjected to any
requirement which are not applied equally to large entities.
Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements
This proposed rule contains no information collection or
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
National Environmental Policy Act Certification
The Administrator of RUS has determined that this proposed rule
will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment as
defined by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.). Therefore, this action does not require an environmental
impact statement or assessment.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The program described by this proposed rule is listed in the
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance programs under No. 10.851, Rural
Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees, and No. 10.852, Rural Telephone
Bank Loans. This catalog is available on a subscription basis from the
Superintendent of Documents, the United States Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325. Telephone (202) 512-1800.
Executive Order 12372
This proposed rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation
with State and local officials. See the final rule related notice
entitled, ``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive
Order 12372,'' (50 FR 47034).
Unfunded Mandates
This proposed rule contains no Federal mandates (under the
regulatory provision of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act)
for State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector. Thus,
this proposed rule is not subject to the requirements of section 202
and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Background
RUS issues publications titled ``bulletins'' which serve to guide
borrowers regarding already codified policy, procedures, and
requirements needed to manage loans, loan guarantee programs, and the
security instruments which provide for and secure RUS financing. RUS
issues standards and specifications for construction of
telecommunications facilities financed with RUS loan funds. After
review of RUS's bulletin and specification issuances, RUS has decided
to propose to rescind the outdated RUS Bulletin 345-22, RUS
Specification for Voice Frequency Loading Coils, PE-26, issued January
19, 1989. RUS felt rescission was the best option for this bulletin and
welcomes public comment. This
[[Page 4680]]
bulletin is incorporated by reference at 7 CFR 1755.97.
RUS Bulletin 345-22, RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading
Coils, PE-26, specifies the technical requirements for voice frequency
loading coils that are used in aerial, direct burial, and underground
plant installations. Since RUS borrowers are designing and constructing
new plant facilities capable of handling both voice and data
transmission which require that loop lengths be shorter than 18,000
feet, the installation of voice frequency loading coils in these new
transmission facilities using these shorter loop lengths is no longer
required. Therefore RUS is proposing to rescind this bulletin because
of obsolescence.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755
Loan programs-communications, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.
For reasons set out in the preamble, RUS proposes to amend Chapter
XVII of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et seq., 6941 et seq.
Sec. 1755.97 [Amended]
2. Section 1755.97 is amended by removing the entry ``RUS Bulletin
No. 345-22'' from the table.
Dated: January 14, 2002.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2298 Filed 1-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P