Take notice that on December 7, 2007, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (Natural), 747 East 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148-5072, filed in Docket No. CP08-32-000, an application pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Subpart A of Part 157 of the Commission's Regulations, for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and operation of certain facilities at Natural's Herscher Galesville storage field in Kankakee County, Illinois, (Herscher Galesville) to enable Natural to provide 10 Bcf of firm incremental storage service for certain expansion shippers, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. The filing may also be viewed on the Web at http://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at

Natural proposes to (a) drill and operate 15 new water withdrawal wells with 230 horsepower downhole submersible pumps, and up to 11 new water disposal wells at up to 11 new well pads; (b) install and operate surface water booster pumps on 3 existing water injection wells; (c) drill and operate horizontal lateral recompletions of up to 4 existing water injection wells, which, if successful, will reduce the number of new water injection wells required to be drilled; (d) upgrade and operate the existing water disposal system by replacing, looping or extending 12 water lines totaling 25,825 feet (made up of 8-, 10- and 12-inch diameter plastic pipe); (e) rework (via underreaming and deepening) and operate 5 existing gas injection/withdrawal wells; (f) purchase 2.0 Bcf of additional cushion gas; (g) install and operate one 8,180 hp natural gas compressor unit; (h) construct and operate miscellaneous appurtenant facilities as necessary to develop the proposed project, all at the Herscher Galesville storage field.

Natural also seeks approval of the negotiated rates as contained in the precedent agreements supporting the proposed project; approval of the recourse rates and tariff provisions necessary to effectuate such rates; and approval of an increase in Herscher Galesville's certificated peak day withdrawal level from 1,000 MMcf up to 1,100 MMcf. There would be no increase in Natural's currently certificated total maximum inventory level at Herscher Galesville. Natural estimates its construction cost for the Herscher Galesville storage field project at $75,349,207.

Any questions concerning the application should be directed to Bruce H. Newsome, Vice President, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, 747 East 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148-5072, telephone: (630) 691-3526, e-mail:

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceeding for this project should, on or before the below listed comment date, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFT 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.

However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to the project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests, and interventions via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( http://www.ferc.gov ) under the “e-Filing” link.

Comment Date: January 24, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and PVR Midstream LLC (PVR), TownCenter One, 1450 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380-3258, filed a joint application in Docket No. CP08-43-000. Included in that filing is an application by Northern pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), as amended, and sections 157.7 and 157.18 of the Commission's Regulations, requesting permission and approval to abandon by sale to Saleco, a new yet to be named Delaware limited liability company, certain pipeline, compression, dehydration, and delivery and receipt point facilities (Hemphill System), with appurtenances facilities located in Ochiltree, Roberts and Hemphill Counties, Texas, and Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Northern also requests Commission approval to abandon the services it provides with respect to primary receipt and/or delivery points located on the facilities proposed for abandonment. Northern and PVR state that once Saleco is assigned to PVR, the Hemphill System will be operated by PVR as part of its non-jurisdictional gathering system. Northern and PVR also request in the application a determination that, upon transfer to PVR, the facilities in question will be classified as gathering under section 1(b) of the NGA, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Any questions regarding this application should be directed to Michael T. Loeffler, Director, Certificates and Government Affairs for Northern Natural Gas Company , 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, at (402) 398-7103.

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.

However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentors will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link at http://www.ferc.gov. The Commission strongly encourages intervenors to file electronically. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

Comment Date: January 24, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, filed in Docket No. CP08-42-000 a prior notice request pursuant to sections 157.205 and 157.210 of the Commission's regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Northern's blanket certificate issued September 1, 1982 in Docket No. CP82-401-000, for authorization to up-rate the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) on approximately twenty-four miles of 26-inch pipeline in Yoakum and Gaines Counties, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico, and operate such segment of pipeline at the higher MAOP, all as more fully set forth in the application, which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. The filing may also be viewed on the Web at http://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208-3676 or TYY (202) 502-8659.

The estimated cost of constructing the proposed facilities is $1,015,000.

Any questions regarding the application should be directed to Michael T. Loeffler, Senior Director of Certificates and External Affairs, 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, Northern Natural Gas Company, phone (402) 398-7103.

Any person or the Commission's Staff may, within 60 days after the issuance of the instant notice by the Commission, file pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Procedural Rules (18 CFR 385.214) a motion to intervene or notice of intervention and, pursuant to section 157.205 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (18 CFR 157.205) a protest to the request. If no protest is filed within the time allowed therefore, the proposed activity shall be deemed to be authorized effective the day after the time allowed for protest. If a protest is filed and not withdrawn within 30 days after the time allowed for filing a protest, the instant request shall be treated as an application for authorization pursuant to section 7 of the NGA.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov , or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Take notice that during the month of November 2007, the status of the above-captioned entities as Exempt Wholesale Generators or Foreign Utility Companies became effective by operation of the Commission's regulations. 18 CFR 366.7(a).

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Athens Compressor Expansion Project involving construction and operation of natural gas transmission system facilities by Vector Pipeline L.P. (Vector) in Calhoun and Oakland County, Michigan and LaPorte County, Indiana. The EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.

This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. Your input will help determine which issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on February 4, 2008. Details on how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.

This notice is being sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. State and local government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this proposed project and to encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.

A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled “An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?” addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. It is available for viewing on the FERC Internet Web site ( http://www.ferc.gov ).

Vector proposes to:

• Construct the Athens Compressor Station, a new 15,000-horsepower compressor station along Vector's existing pipeline system in Calhoun County, Michigan; and

• Complete modifications at Vector's existing Springville and Highland Compressor Stations, which are located along Vector's existing pipeline system in LaPorte County, Indiana and Oakland County, Michigan, respectively.

Vector purchased a 20-acre parcel of land for construction of the Athens Compressor Station. Approximately 6.3 acres within the site would be used for operation of the compressor station. An additional 2.2 acres of land would be disturbed by construction of an access road to Athens Compressor Station. The remainder of the 20 acre site would be maintained as a buffer area.

Construction of the proposed modifications at the existing Springville and Highland Compressor Stations would disturb up to 2 acres of land at each station. The land affected by construction and operation of the modifications would occur within previously disturbed areas that are inside buildings or in graveled areas within the existing fence lines of the stations.

The general location of the proposed facilities is shown in Appendix 1. 1

We  2 are preparing this EA to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impact that could result if it authorizes Vector's proposal. By this notice, we are also asking federal, state, and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA. Agencies that would like to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided below.

NEPA also requires the FERC to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as “scoping.” The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, we are requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. All comments received will be considered during the preparation of the EA.

The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings:

• Geology and soils

• Land use and visual quality

• Cultural resources

• Vegetation and wildlife (including threatened and endangered species)

• Air quality and noise

• Reliability and safety

We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, where necessary, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.

Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be published and mailed to federal, state, and local agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for this proceeding. A comment period will be allotted for review if the EA is published. We will consider all comments on the EA before we make our recommendations to the Commission.

To ensure your comments are received and considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section below.

You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by the Commission. You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the proposal and alternatives to the proposal, including alternative compressor station sites and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are received in time and properly recorded:

• Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;

• Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 1, PJ-11.1;

• Reference Docket No. CP08-29-000; and

• Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before February 4, 2008.

The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments. See 18 Code of Federal Regulations 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Internet Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under the “eFiling” link and the link to the User's Guide. Prepare your submission in the same manner as you would if filing on paper and save it to a file on your hard drive. Before you can file comments you will need to create an account by clicking on “Login to File” and then “New User Account.” You will be asked to select the type of filing you are making. This filing is considered a “Comment on Filing.”

As described above, we may publish and distribute the EA for comment. If you are interested in receiving an EA for review and/or comment, please return the Environmental Mailing List Form (Appendix 3). If you do not return the Environmental Mailing List Form, you will be taken off the mailing list.

In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an “intervenor.” Intervenors play a more formal role in the process. Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors. Likewise, each intervenor must send one electronic copy (using the Commission's eFiling system) or 14 paper copies of its filings to the Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy of its filings to all other parties on the Commission's service list for this proceeding.

If you want to become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see Appendix 2). 3 Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision.

Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor status to have your environmental comments considered.

Additional information about the project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the FERC Internet Web site ( http://www.ferc.gov ) using the “eLibrary” link. Click on the eLibrary link, then on “General Search” and enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.

In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries and direct links to the documents. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.

Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

On December 26, 2007, the Western Power Trading Forum (WPTF) filed a request for an extension of time to file an answer to the Public Utilities of the State of California's (CPUC) Motion to Supplement Request for Rehearing or, in the Alternative, to Supplement the CPUC's Response to the Motion For Clarification of the California Generators filed December 21, 2007, in the above-docketed proceeding (December 21 Motion). WPTF states that because of the intervening holidays and vacation schedules involving WPTF counsel and personnel, additional time is needed to coordinate and prepare a responsive filing.

Upon consideration, notice is hereby given that an extension of time for filing answers to the CPUC's December 21 Motion is granted and including January 14, 2008.

Ocean State Power and Ocean State Power II (collectively, Ocean State) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Ocean State also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Ocean State requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Ocean State.

On December 18, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Ocean State, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004).

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is January 18, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Ocean State is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Ocean State, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Ocean State's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Waterbury Generation, LLC (Waterbury) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying market-based rate tariff. The proposed market-based rate tariff provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Waterbury also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Waterbury requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Waterbury.

On December 26, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Waterbury, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2007).

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is January 28, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Waterbury is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Waterbury, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Waterbury's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Citadel Energy Strategies, LLC (Citadel) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Citadel also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Citadel requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Citadel.

On December 27, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Citadel, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2007).

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is January 28, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Citadel is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Citadel, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Citadel's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov , using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See , 18 CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Lookout Windpower, LLC (Lookout) and Forward Windpower, LLC (Forward) filed applications for market-based rate authority, with accompanying market-based rate tariffs. The proposed market-based rate tariffs provide for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Lookout and Forward also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Lookout and Forward requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Lookout and Forward.

On January 2, 2008, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development—West, granted the requests for blanket approval under part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Lookout and Forward, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2007).

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is February 1, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Lookout and Forward are authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Lookout and Forward, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Lookout and Forward's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov , using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

North American Energy Credit and Clearing—Finance LLC (Finance) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying tariff. The proposed market-based rate tariff provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Finance also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Finance requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Finance.

On December 27, 2007, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Finance, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2007).

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is January 28, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Finance is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Finance, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Finance's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Primary Energy of North Carolina, LLC (Primary Energy) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Primary Energy also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Primary Energy requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Primary Energy.

On January 2, 2008, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development-West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Primary Energy, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2007).

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is February 1, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Primary Energy is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Primary Energy, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Primary Energy's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov , using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, pursuant to Rule 207 of the Rules of Practices and Procedure of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission), 18 CFR 385.207, section 219 of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 824s (2007), and Order No. 679, PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL Electric) and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) filed a petition for declaratory order requesting the Commission to authorize specific rate incentives described below for a new 500 kV transmission line that will connect PPL Electric's Susquehanna 500 kV switchyard in Pennsylvania to PSE&G's Roseland substation in New Jersey.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, pursuant to Rule 207 of the Rules of Practices and Procedure of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission), 18 CFR 385.207, section 1241 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, EPAct of 2005 which includes the new section 219 of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 824s (2007), and Order No. 679, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) filed a petition for declaratory order seeking the Commission to authorize transmission rate incentives for a new bulk power transmission project in which PG&E is planning to be a major participant.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m., Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, the City of Anaheim, California filed its fifth annual revision to its Transmission Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment, to become effective January 1, 2008.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m., Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, the City of Riverside, California filed its fifth annual revision to its Transmission Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment, to become effective January 1, 2008.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, the City of Banning, California filed its fifth annual revision to its Transmission Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment, to become effective January 1, 2008.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov , or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

Take notice that on December 20, 2007, pursuant to Rule 207(a)(2) and Rule 2004 of the Rules of Practices and Procedure of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 18 CFR 385.207(a)(2) and 385.2004 (2006), Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (Western Minnesota) filed a petition for declaratory order permitting MRES and Western Minnesota to combine their financial information for purposes of the variances being sought by MRES to the Attachment O transmission formula under the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.'s Open Access Transmission and Energy Markets Tariff. MRES and Western Minnesota also submit an exemption of the application fee, pursuant to section 381.108 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

Take notice that on December 21, 2007, the City of Pasadena, California, filed its third annual revision to its Transmission Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment, to become effective January 1, 2008.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov , or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2008.

The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq. ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below.

The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center Web site at www.ffiec.gov/nic/ .

Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than February 5, 2008.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Todd Offerbacker, Assistant Vice President) 925 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64198-0001:

1. Young Partners, L.P., and its general partner, Young Corporation, and Citizens Bancshares Company, all of Chillicothe, Missouri, and First Community Bancshares, Inc., and FCB Acquisition Corp., both of Overland Park, Kansas; to acquire NKC Bancshares, Inc., and thereby indirectly acquire Norbank, both of North Kansas City, Missouri. In connection with this application, FCB Acquisition Corp, has applied to become a bank holding company by merging with NKC Bancshares Inc.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 and send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to omb@cdc.gov.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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; (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. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES)—Extension—(0923-0008), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is mandated pursuant to the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and its 1986 Amendments, The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), to prevent or mitigate adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life resulting from the exposure to hazardous substances into the environment. The primary purpose of this activity, which ATSDR has supported since 1992, is to develop, implement, and maintain a state-based surveillance system for hazardous substances emergency events which can be used to (1) describe the distribution of the hazardous substances releases; (2) describe the public health consequences (morbidity, mortality, and evacuations) associated with the events; (3) develop strategies to reduce future public health consequences. The study population will consist of all hazardous substance non permitted acute releases within the 14 states (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin) participating in the surveillance system.

Until this system was developed and implemented, there was no national public health-based surveillance system to coordinate the collation, analysis, and distribution of hazardous substances emergency release data to public health practitioners. It was necessary to establish this national surveillance system which describes the public health impact of hazardous substances emergencies on the health of the population of the United States. The data collection form will be completed by the state health department Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) coordinator using a variety of sources including written and oral reports from environmental protection agencies, police, firefighters, emergency response personnel; or researched by the HSEES coordinator using material safety data sheets, and chemical handbooks. There is a reduction in the annual burden hours per response because of the reduction in number of states from 15 to 14 and because of a change in the case definition of an HSEES event in 2005, which excludes stack emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NO X ), oxides of sulfur (SOx), and carbon monoxide (CO) when they are not mixed with another hazardous substance.

The HSEES public use data set is available on the ATSDR HSEES Web site. Interested parties complete a brief description of who will be using the data and for what purpose in order to download the data. This allows ATSDR to widely distribute the data and track its usefulness.

There is no cost to the respondents other than their time.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2007, at 72 FR 41771. The notice allowed for a 60-day public comment period. USCIS received two comments from the public on this information collection.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until February 11, 2008. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USCIS, Chief, Regulatory Management Division, Clearance Office, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20529. Comments may also be submitted to DHS via facsimile to 202-272-8352 or via e-mail at rfs.regs@dhs.gov, and to the OMB USCIS Desk Officer via facsimile at 202-395-6974 or via e-mail at kastrich@omb.eop.gov .

When submitting comments by e-mail please make sure to add OMB Control Number 1615-0029 in the subject box. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

(1) Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: Form I-601. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or Households. The information collected on this form is used by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine whether the applicant is eligible for a waiver of excludability under section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 15,500 responses at 1 1/2 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 23,250 annual burden hours.

If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the information collection instrument, please visit the USCIS Web site at: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main . We may also be contacted at: USCIS, Regulatory Management Division, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 3rd floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529, telephone number 202-272-8377.

Petitions have been filed with the Secretary of Labor under Section 221(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (“the Act”) and are identified in the Appendix to this notice. Upon receipt of these petitions, the Director of the Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance, Employment and Training Administration, has instituted investigations pursuant to Section 221(a) of the Act.

The purpose of each of the investigations is to determine whether the workers are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Title II, Chapter 2, of the Act. The investigations will further relate, as appropriate, to the determination of the date on which total or partial separations began or threatened to begin and the subdivision of the firm involved.

The petitioners or any other persons showing a substantial interest in the subject matter of the investigations may request a public hearing, provided such request is filed in writing with the Director, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance, at the address shown below, not later than January 22, 2008.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the subject matter of the investigations to the Director, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance, at the address shown below, not later than January 22, 2008.

The petitions filed in this case are available for inspection at the Office of the Director, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room C-5311, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.

On December 12, 2007, the Department of Labor (Department) received a request for administrative reconsideration of the Department's Notice of Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance, applicable to workers and former workers of the subject firm. The negative determination was issued on November 13, 2007. The Department's Notice of determination was published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2007 (72 FR 69711). Subject workers are engaged in activities related to the production of gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors for the purposes of the design and development of new automotive and cellular technologies.

The determination was based on the Department's findings that the group eligibility requirements under section 222(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, was not met.

In the request for reconsideration, the workers alleged that the subject workers are engaged in activities related to the production of not only GaAs semiconductors but also related to the production of non-GaAs semiconductors.

The Department has carefully reviewed the workers' request for reconsideration and has determined that the Department will conduct further investigation regarding the production of both GaAs semiconductors and non-GaAs semiconductors.

After careful review of the application, I conclude that the claim is of sufficient weight to justify reconsideration of the U.S. Department of Labor's prior decision. The application is, therefore, granted.

On November 26, 2007, the Department issued an Affirmative Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2007 (72 FR 67965-67966).

The TAA petition, which was filed on behalf of workers at Electric Mobility Corporation, Sewell, New Jersey, engaged in the production of mobility chairs was denied based on the findings that during the relevant time period, the subject company did not separate or threaten to separate a significant number or proportion of workers, as required by section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974.

In the request for reconsideration, the petitioner states that there were sixteen workers laid off from the subject firm in May, 2007.

In determining whether there were a significant proportion of workers separated or threatened with separations at the subject company during the relevant time period, the Department contacted the subject firm's company official and requested employment figures for the relevant employment data (for one year prior to the date of the petition and any imminent layoffs).

After careful review of the information provided on reconsideration, it was revealed that workers were laid off from the subject firm during the relevant time period. However, overall employment at the subject firm has increased from October 2006 to September 2007.

As employment levels at the subject facility did not decline and there was no threat of separations during the relevant period. Therefore, criterion (a)(2)(A)(I.A.) and (a)(2)(B)(II.A.) have not been met.

Should conditions change in the future, the petitioner is encouraged to file a new petition on behalf of the worker group which will encompass an investigative period that will include these changing conditions.

After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance for workers and former workers of Electric Mobility Corporation, Sewell, New Jersey.

Pursuant to section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, an investigation was initiated on December 20, 2007 in response to a petition filed by workers of J.H.L. Fashion Inc., New York, New York.

The petition does not contain three valid worker signatures; therefore, the petition itself is invalid. Consequently, the investigation has been terminated.

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”)  1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on December 27, 2007, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (“CBOE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared substantially by the CBOE. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to amend CBOE Rule 17.50, “Imposition of Fines for Minor Rule Violations,” to revise the provisions of CBOE Rule 17.50(g)(8) “Violations of Exercise and Exercise Advice Rules for Noncash-Settled Equity Options.” The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.org/Legal ), at the CBOE's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

The Exchange proposes to increase and strengthen the sanctions imposed by its Minor Rule Violation Plan (“MRVP”) on any member who fails to submit to the Exchange in a timely manner pursuant to CBOE Rule 11.1 (or a Regulatory Circular issued pursuant to CBOE Rule 11.1) “Advice Cancel” or exercise instruction relating to the exercise or nonexercise of a noncash-settled equity option. The Exchange believes that increasing the fine levels specified with respect to both individual members and member organizations, and lengthening the surveillance period from a 12-month period to a rolling 24-month period will serve as an effective deterrent to such violative conduct.

In addition, the Exchange, as a member of the Intermarket Surveillance Group, as well as certain other self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”) executed and filed on October 29, 2007 with the Commission, a final version of an Agreement pursuant to section 17(d) of the Act (the “17d-2 Agreement”). 3 As set forth in the 17d-2 Agreement, the SROs have agreed that their respective rules concerning the filing of Expiring Exercise Declarations, also referred to as Contrary Exercise Advices, of options contracts, are common rules. As a result, the proposal to amend the CBOE's MRVP will further result in consistency in sanctions among the SROs that are signatories to the 17d-2 Agreement concerning Contrary Exercise Advice violations. 4 In addition, the proposed rule change replaces the term “infraction” with the term “violation” to provide greater consistency among the signatories to the 17d-2 Agreement concerning Contrary Exercise Advice violations.

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act, 5 in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 6 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, facilitate transactions in securities, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will strengthen its ability to carry out its oversight responsibilities as an SRO and reinforce its surveillance and enforcement functions. Additionally, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will promote consistency in minor rule violations and respective SRO reporting obligations as set forth pursuant to Rule 19d-1(c)(2) under the Act, 7 which governs minor rule violation plans.

CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the proposal.

Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:

(A) By order approve such proposed rule change, or

(B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or

• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CBOE-2007-143 on the subject line.

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”)  1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,  2 notice is hereby given that on January 2, 2008, the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared substantially by the Nasdaq Exchange. The Nasdaq Exchange filed the proposed rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act  3 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder, 4 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Nasdaq Exchange's parent corporation, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”), 5 proposes to enter into a Nasdaq Stockholders” Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Borse Dubai Limited (“Borse Dubai”). There is no proposed rule text.

In its filing with the Commission, the Nasdaq Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Nasdaq Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

On November 15, 2007, Nasdaq entered into definitive agreements with Borse Dubai and BD Stockholm AB, and with Borse Dubai and Dubai International Financial Exchange (“DIFX”) (the “Definitive Agreements”) pursuant to which (i) Borse Dubai will acquire up to 100% of the outstanding share capital of OMX AB (“OMX”) by means of a public tender offer, (ii) Borse Dubai will acquire shares of common stock of Nasdaq representing approximately 28% of its outstanding share capital, with the shares in excess of 19.9% held in a trust subject to an obligation to sell under certain conditions, (iii) Nasdaq will acquire 33.3% of the outstanding share capital of DIFX, an exchange subsidiary of Borse Dubai, and (iv) Nasdaq will acquire up to 100% of the outstanding share capital of OMX from Borse Dubai (collectively, the “Transactions”). 6 The shares held by Borse Dubai directly and in the trust will be subject to Article Fourth of Nasdaq's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, 7 which provides that no person who is the beneficial owner of voting securities of Nasdaq in excess of 5% of the then-outstanding shares of stock generally entitled to vote (“Excess Securities”) may vote such Excess Securities.

At the time of the closing of the Transactions, Nasdaq and Borse Dubai will enter into the Agreement, under which, among other things, Borse Dubai will have the right to recommend two persons reasonably acceptable to the Nasdaq Nominating Committee (the “Board Designees”) to serve as directors of Nasdaq. Under the Agreement, Nasdaq will: (i) Include the Board Designees on each slate of nominees proposed by management of Nasdaq; (ii) recommend the election of the Board Designees to the stockholders of Nasdaq; and (iii) otherwise use reasonable best efforts to cause the Board Designees to be elected to the Board of Directors. Nasdaq has also agreed to use reasonable best efforts to cause the appointment of one of the Board Designees to the Audit, Executive, Finance, and Management Compensation committees of the Board of Directors, and to cause the appointment of another person designated by Borse Dubai to serve on the Nominating Committee (the “Nominating Committee Designee”, and together with the Board Designees, the “Borse Dubai Designees”), but in each case only if such person meets the requirements for service on the committee. 8

The Agreement relates solely to the Board of Directors of Nasdaq, and not to the boards of any of its subsidiaries, including the Board of Directors of the Nasdaq Exchange. Nevertheless, the provisions of the Agreement described above could be considered a proposed rule change of the Nasdaq Exchange, if they were viewed as affecting the influence that a significant stockholder of Nasdaq might be seen as exercising over the business and affairs of the Nasdaq Exchange in its capacity as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nasdaq.

In general, directors of Nasdaq, including the Board Designees, must be nominated by a Nominating Committee, 9 the composition of which is subject to the requirements of the Nasdaq By-Laws and Nasdaq Exchange Rule 4350, 10 and must then be elected by the stockholders of Nasdaq. The Nasdaq Board is currently composed of 13 members, but will be expanded to 16 members at the time of the closing of the Transactions. Thus, the Board Designees would represent 12.5% of the Nasdaq Board.

The committees that are the subject of the Agreement are subject to compositional requirements established by the Nasdaq By-Laws; moreover, the Audit, Management Compensation, and Nominating Committees are subject to independence requirements established by Nasdaq Exchange Rule 4350 and, in the case of the Audit Committee, by 10A-3 under the Act. 11 Thus, depending on the affiliations of the Borse Dubai Designees and the judgment of the Nasdaq Board with regard to their independence, they would not be eligible for service on these three committees. Each of these committees currently has between four and seven members. Upon the closing of the Transactions, the size of each committee would remain the same or grow to reflect the increased size of the whole Board. Thus, each of the committees on which a Borse Dubai Designee serves will include at least five directors.

The Nasdaq Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of section 6 of the Act, 12 in general, and with sections 6(b)(1) and (b)(5) of the Act, 13 in particular, in that the proposal enables the Nasdaq Exchange to be so organized as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply with and enforce compliance by members and persons associated with members with provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and self-regulatory organization (“SRO”) rules, and is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

The Nasdaq Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.

Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received.

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:

(i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest;

(ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and

(iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and public interest, it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act  14 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 15

A proposed rule change filed under 19b-4(f)(6) may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing unless the Commission designates a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 16 The Nasdaq Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay set forth in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) under the Act  17 to ensure that the filing is effective and therefore does not delay the commencement of the offer or the closing of the Transactions. The parties to the Transactions expect all regulatory actions necessary for the closing of the Transactions to be completed prior to Borse Dubai commencing its offer for OMX shares. The Commission believes that the earlier operative date is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.

Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposal to be operative upon filing with the Commission. 18

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or

• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-NASDAQ-2008-002 on the subject line.

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

On November 8, 2007, NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”)  1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 a proposed rule change to amend NYSE Arca Rule 6.87 governing obvious errors to revise the review procedure for contesting decisions made pursuant to the rule. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on November 27, 2007. 3 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change.

Currently, NYSE Arca Rule 6.87 provides that the Exchange will determine whether a transaction resulted from an “Obvious Error”  4 after it receives notification within the prescribed time frame. If the Exchange believes that an Obvious Error has occurred, the Exchange will adjust the price of the trade, with or without an adjustment penalty, or will nullify the trade, depending on the status of the parties to the trade. Currently, a party may appeal the Exchange's decision to the Exchange's Board of Directors (“Board”) pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 10.14.

The Exchange proposes to eliminate a party's right to appeal to the Board and instead allow a party to appeal to an Obvious Error Panel (“OE Panel”). The OE Panel would be composed of the Exchange's Chief Regulatory Officer (“CRO”), or a designee of the CRO, 5 and representatives from two options trading permit firms (“OTP Firms”). 6 One OE Panel representative would be from an OTP Firm directly engaged in market making activities and one OE Panel representative would be from an OTP Firm directly engaged in the handling of options orders for public customers.

In addition, requests for an appeal would have to be made via facsimile or e-mail within thirty minutes after the party requesting the appeal is given notification of the initial determination. Thereafter, the OE Panel would review the information and may overturn or modify the action previously taken by the Exchange. Such determination by the OE Panel would be considered a final action by the Exchange on the matter at issue. All final determinations made by the OE Panel would be rendered, without prejudice, as to the rights of the parties to the transaction to submit their dispute to arbitration. The revised process is intended to provide for a quicker resolution of appeal requests than the Board process currently governed by Rule 10.14.

Further, if the OE Panel upholds the Exchange's decision made pursuant to Rule 6.87(a)(4) to nullify or adjust a trade, the Exchange would assess a $500.00 fee against the party or parties who initiated the request for appeal.

The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 10.14 to remove the reference to Rule 6.87 and amend Rule 6.87 to remove Commentary .02.

The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange  7 and, in particular, the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act  8 and the rules and regulations thereunder. Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 9 in that the proposal is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and remove impediments and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and to protect investors and the public interest.

The Commission considers that in most circumstances trades that are executed between parties should be honored. On rare occasions, the price of the executed trade indicates an “obvious error” may exist, suggesting that it is unrealistic to expect that the parties to the trade had come to a meeting of the minds regarding the terms of the transaction. In the Commission's view, the determination of whether an “obvious error” has occurred and the process for reviewing such a determination should be based on specific and objective criteria and subject to specific and objective procedures.

The Commission believes that the Exchange's proposal to create the OE Panel to review obvious error determinations of the Exchange, and to eliminate Board review of such determinations, is appropriate. The Commission believes that the OE Panel's review procedures are clear and objective and that the composition of the OE Panel is designed to be balanced and fair.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 10 that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2007-115), as amended, is hereby approved.

The Small Business Administration publishes an interest rate called the optional “peg” rate (13 CFR 120.214) on a quarterly basis. This rate is a weighted average cost of money to the government for maturities similar to the average SBA direct loan. This rate may be used as a base rate for guaranteed fluctuating interest rate SBA loans. This rate will be 4.750 (4 3/4 ) percent for the January-March quarter of FY 2008.

Pursuant to 13 CFR 120.921(b), the maximum legal interest rate for any third party lender's commercial loan which funds any portion of the cost of a 504 project (see 13 CFR 120.801) shall be 6% over the New York Prime rate or, if that exceeds the maximum interest rate permitted by the constitution or laws of a given State, the maximum interest rate will be the rate permitted by the constitution or laws of the given State.

Acting under the authority of and in accordance with section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, as amended by Executive Order 13268 of July 2, 2002, and Executive Order 13284 of January 23, 2003, I hereby determine that the organization known as Teyrebazen Azadiya Kurdistan (aka TAK, aka Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, aka The Freedom Hawks of Kurdistan) has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

Consistent with the determination in section 10 of Executive Order 13224 that “prior notice to persons determined to be subject to the Order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States would render ineffectual the blocking and other measures authorized in the Order because of the ability to transfer funds instantaneously,” I determine that no prior notice needs to be provided to any person subject to this determination who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, because to do so would render ineffectual the measures authorized in the Order.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register .

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/L-08-01.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.

Key Dates: (Pending availability of funds)

Anticipated Grant Start Date: May 5, 2008.

Anticipated Program Start Date: August 2008.

Anticipated Grant End Date: February 28, 2009.

Application Deadline: March 13, 2008.

Executive Summary: The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the Chilean English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Student Teacher Program. Accredited, U.S. post-secondary educational institutions meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to administer this semester-long program for Chilean pre-service teachers. Post-secondary educational institutions may apply independently or in a consortium with other post-secondary institutions. The program will include academic coursework and practicum/student teaching for Chilean EFL student teachers in their penultimate year of undergraduate study. ECA plans to award two grants for the administration of this program under which a total of approximately thirty EFL student teachers will be placed in two groups at two different U.S. universities. The program will take place during the fall semester of 2008 and will, in addition to teaching participants about student-centered methodology, give them an in-depth experience of U.S. life and culture and contribute to mutual understanding between Chile and the United States.

The program should include both a theoretical component, provided through courses and professional development seminars in an academic setting, and a practical component, provided through practice teaching under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers in local school districts. Interested post-secondary educational institutions should indicate strong contacts with local U.S. school districts in order to provide the practical student-teaching component, as well as a demonstrated ability to conduct a substantive academic program. Host schools for student teaching may be public, magnet or charter schools, and should exemplify best practices. The total funding available for program and administrative purposes is anticipated to be approximately $450,000, and will be awarded in two separate grants of $225,000. This exchange program will be funded in FY-2008 pending the availability of funds.

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is “to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.” The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.

The Chilean EFL Student Teacher Program is designed to assist Chile in its goal of becoming a bilingual society. The people of the United States and Chile enjoy a particularly close relationship, nurtured by longstanding and strong cultural, diplomatic and commercial ties. As leading members of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) inter-governmental forum, the governments of the U.S. and Chile share a common commitment to democracy and sustainable economic growth, and work together to the mutual benefit of their citizens and neighbors. The Chilean educators participating in this exchange program will prepare their future students to live in an increasingly interdependent world, and the exchange experience will provide a basis for the educators' continuing contact with U.S. counterparts in order to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and Chile.

The program will bring a total of approximately thirty EFL student teachers in their penultimate year of undergraduate study at Chilean universities and place them in two clusters at different U.S. universities. The student teachers will be selected by a panel of U.S. and Chilean members in Chile to create a diverse group in terms of their home regions in Chile, gender, and socio-economic background. The semester-long program will take place from August 2008 to December 2008. During the program, participants will learn about student-centered English teaching through special seminars, enrollment in regular university courses and practice teaching. The program will prepare the student teachers to teach in the subject field of English as a Foreign Language. Following their program, the students will return to their home institutions for additional study before starting careers as high school English teachers in Chile.

The program should encompass the following elements:

(1) Grantee organization participation in the pre-departure orientation in Chile organized by the Chilean Government;

(2) Orientation upon arrival at university;

(3) Instruction in English language as needed;

(4) Intensive education in relevant subjects and teaching methodologies through a variety of courses within the host university's school of education or other departments (participants will select courses based on their individual goals and interests);

(5) Enrollment in a specially designed group seminar on teaching strategies for their home environments and educational leadership;

(6) Participation in a substantial three-week practice teaching component to engage participants actively with the American classroom environment.

a. Host universities should recruit school districts to host groups for internships based on brief proposals from the school districts, outlining their interest, their understanding of the program goals, examples of their best practices, and a commitment to mentoring.

b. School districts should be within easy driving distance of the host university, and should be capable of introducing participants to more than one approach to teaching (for example, inquiry, active classroom, group projects, etc.).

(7) Cultural and community service activities to encourage interaction and mutual understanding between Chileans and U.S. peers and citizens;

(8) Travel to Washington, DC during the second half of the program for a three- to four-day workshop including visits to the Department of State, cultural sites, and relevant educational organizations.

Applicants should outline how host school districts will be selected and how teachers will collaborate with schools and local communities.

Applicant organizations should submit a narrative outlining a comprehensive strategy for the administration and implementation of the program. The narrative should include a design for the program, and a plan for monitoring the student teachers' academic and professional programs.

The comprehensive program strategy should reflect a vision for the initiative as a whole, interpreting the goals of the Chilean EFL Student Teacher Program with creativity, as well as providing innovative ideas for the program. The strategy should include a description of how the various components of the program will be integrated to build upon and reinforce one another.

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.

Fiscal Year Funds: 2008.

Approximate Total Funding: $450,000 (pending availability of funds).

Approximate Number of Awards: 2.

Approximate Average Award: $225,000.

Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, April 7, 2008.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 2008.

Pending successful implementation of this program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to renew this cooperative agreement for two additional fiscal years, before openly competing it again.

III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide the highest possible levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, the grantee must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as its contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23—Cost Sharing and Matching. In the event the grantee does not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: (a) Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs are limited to $60,000. ECA anticipates awarding two grants, in an amount up to $225,000 to support program and administrative costs required to implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please contact the Eran Williams, Branch Chief for Programs in the Office of English Language Programs, ECA/A/L, room 304, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone (202) 453-8843, or fax (202) 453-8858 to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-08-1 located at the top of this announcement when making your request.

Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained from grants.gov . Please see section IV.3f for further information.

The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.

It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria and budget instructions tailored to this competition.

Please specify Eran Williams and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/L-08-01 located at the top of this announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm , or from the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov .

Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. “Application Deadline and Methods of Submission” section below.

IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application package.

IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal narrative and budget.

Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project Objectives, and the Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional formatting and technical requirements.

IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.

IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information when preparing your proposal narrative:

IV.3d.1 Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically important emphases on the security and proper administration of the Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements. The Grantee will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.

A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD—SA-44, Room 734, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 203-5029, FAX: (202) 453-8640.

Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.

IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines.

Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and representative of the diversity of U.S. political, social, and cultural life. “Diversity” should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program administration and in program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the ‘Support for Diversity’ section for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into the proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides that “in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,” the Bureau “shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.” Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.

IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation.

Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends that each proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the grantee will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as well as substantive knowledge.

Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. The evaluation plan should include a description of the project's objectives, anticipated project outcomes, and how and when the applicant will measure these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are “smart” (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.

The monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish between program outputs and outcomes . Outputs are products and services delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes , in contrast, represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.

We encourage applicants to assess the following four levels of outcomes, as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in increasing order of importance):

1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange experience.

2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.

3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community members, and others.

4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational improvements.

Overall, the quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan will be judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)

Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon request.

Describe your plans for: i.e. sustainability, overall program management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any other requirements etc.

IV.3e. Applicants should take the following information into consideration when preparing their budgets:

IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.

IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:

(1) Practice teaching host schools administrative costs

(2) Seminars and debriefing costs

(3) Cultural activities

(4) Book allowance/shipping

(5) Grantee administrative costs

(6) Tuition (Please explain how you will ensure cost-effective arrangements based on non-credit enrollment and/or other methods according to formulas that can be protected from increases in tuition rates).

The Chilean government will provide a student maintenance package that will cover housing, meals and incidentals as well as international transportation to the host universities and from Washington, DC.

IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission.

Application Deadline Date: Thursday, March 13, 2008.

Reference Number: ECA/A/L-08-01.

Methods of Submission:

Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:

(1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or

(2) Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.

Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.

IV.3f.1 Submitting Printed Applications. Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for consideration under this competition. ECA will not notify an applicant upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above will be considered.

The original and 4 copies of the application should be sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/L—08-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the “Executive Summary” and “Proposal Narrative” sections of the proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy for its review.

IV.3f.2—Submitting Electronic Applications. Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically through Grants.gov( http://www.grants.gov ). Complete solicitation packages are available at Grants.gov in the “Find” portion of the system. Please follow the instructions available in the ‘Get Started' portion of the site ( http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted  ).

Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov. Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of an applicant's internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that an applicant not wait until the application deadline to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission to:

Grants.gov Customer Support

Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726

Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time

E-mail: support@grants.gov

Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.

Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify an applicant upon receipt of electronic applications.

It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

Optional—IV.3f.3 An applicant may also state here any limitations on the number of applications that an applicant may submit and make it clear whether the limitation is on the submitting organization, individual program director or both.

IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for assistance awards grants resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.

Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's mission.

2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above.

3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and plan.

4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.

5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant features should be cited in both program administration (selection of participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up activities).

6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals.

7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.

8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.

9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives is recommended.

10. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.

11. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.

12. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance in the partner country(ies).

Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive an Assistance Award Document (AAD) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the original grant proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.

Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this competition.

Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements include the following:

Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, “Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations.”

Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, “Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.”

OMB Circular A-87, “Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Governments”.

OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.

OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.

OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and Non-profit Organizations

Please reference the following Web sites for additional information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.

http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements: The grantee must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of a final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award;

Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. (Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.

All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon request.

All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

Optional Program Data Requirements: Organizations awarded grants will be required to maintain specific data on program participants and activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be shared with the Bureau as required. As a minimum, the data must include the following:

(1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.

(2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to the official opening of the activity.

For questions about this announcement, contact: Eran Williams Office of English Language Programs, ECA/A/L, room 304, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, (202) 453-8843 and fax (202) 453-8858, WilliamsEM2@state.gov.

All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-08-01.

Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 above.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 20.814.

The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from Baker & Miller PLLC on behalf of the Kansas City Southern (WB595-5—1/3/2008) for permission to use certain data from the Board's 2006 Carload Waybill Sample. A copy of the requests may be obtained from the Office of Economics, Environmental Analysis, and Administration.

The waybill sample contains confidential railroad and shipper data; therefore, if any parties object to these requests, they should file their objections with the Director of the Board's Office of Economics, Environmental Analysis, and Administration within 14 calendar days of the date of this notice. The rules for release of waybill data are codified at 49 CFR 1244.9.

Contact: Mac Frampton, (202) 245-0317.

The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from Covington & Burling on behalf of Union Pacific Corporation (WB468-9—1/3/08), for permission to use certain data from the Board's 2006 Carload Waybill Sample. A copy of the request may be obtained from the Office of Economics, Environmental Analysis, and Administration.

The waybill sample contains confidential railroad and shipper data; therefore, if any parties object to these requests, they should file their objections with the Director of the Board's Office of Economics, Environmental Analysis, and Administration within 14 calendar days of the date of this notice. The rules for release of waybill data are codified at 49 CFR 1244.9.

Contact: Mac Frampton, (202) 245-0317.