Medical Trade Mission to India: March 8-13, 2010.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Medical Trade Mission to New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, India, March 8-13, 2010. The Medical Trade Mission to India will include representatives of U.S. medical/healthcare industry manufacturers (equipment and devices including laboratory, emergency, diagnostic, physiotherapy, and orthopedic equipment, and healthcare information technology) and service providers. The mission will introduce U.S. suppliers to prospective end-users and partners whose needs and capabilities are targeted to each U.S. participant's business objectives. The delegates will meet with Indian government officials to obtain first-hand information about regulations, policies and procedures and will visit healthcare facilities. The Commercial Service in India (CS India) will organize appointments and briefings in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, India's major healthcare industry hubs. U.S. participants will have the opportunity to interact with U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials and CS India healthcare specialists to discuss industry developments, opportunities, and marketing strategies.

Medical Fair India, one of the largest medical tradeshows in India, coincides in time and location with the last stop of the Trade Mission. Trade Mission participants, therefore, can exhibit at the tradeshow, in the U.S. Pavilion, as part of their program. Companies wishing to exhibit in the U.S. pavilion at the Medical Fair can register through the CS India office to receive a discount.

The Indian healthcare industry is experiencing a rapid transformation and is emerging as a promising market for U.S. suppliers of high-end products. The Indian healthcare market, currently at $35 billion annually, is expected to reach more than $75 billion annually by 2012. The growth in affluence of more than 300 million middle-income consumers is creating demand for higher standards of healthcare. The changing demographic profile and the rise of lifestyle-related diseases have altered the health seeking behavior of the consumer. While private insurance covers only 10% of the populations, coverage is growing at 40% per year.

The medical infrastructure in India is insufficient for the population, with demand for hospitals and beds far exceeding supply. The problem is acute in rural India, which accounts for over half of India's population, while about 80 percent of available hospital beds are located in the urban centers. Both government and private operators have major expansion plans to meet demand and increase quality. Healthcare in India is provided through primary care facilities and secondary and tertiary care hospitals. While the public sector provides primary and secondary care, tertiary care hospitals are owned and managed by both government and private sector. Over the next 5-6 years, 150-200 tertiary hospital projects are expected to be constructed, including hospitals of varying capacities. Most Indian healthcare facilities use imported medical equipment for diagnosis, treatment and surgery with over 35% of the imports coming from the U.S. New specialty and super-specialty hospitals depend on the import of high-end medical equipment for over 65 percent of their needs, and this sector is growing at a rate of 15 percent annually.

Medical tourism is one of the major external drivers of growth in India's healthcare sector. India treated 450,000 foreign patients in 2007 and the expected increase in this sector is contributing to improved quality controls. India's National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) operates accreditation programs for healthcare organizations. Some private hospitals are also applying for certification from international accreditation organizations such as the Joint Commission International (JCI). Accreditation by NABH and JCI has ensured better standards of healthcare in hospitals.

The goal of the Medical Trade Mission to India is to (1) familiarize the U.S. companies with the current healthcare situation as well as the developments taking place; (2) introduce U.S. companies to appropriate government officials in India to learn about various regulatory procedures and policies; and (3) introduce companies to potential end-users, representatives and partners.

The first stop on the mission itinerary is New Delhi, the capital. In meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Health, Drug Controller General Office, and Department of Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. mission members will learn about policies, regulations and opportunities in the country's healthcare industry, such as expansion plans of the Fortis and Max hospital groups.

Chennai and Mumbai are the second and third stops of the mission, located in southern and western India respectively. Several corporate hospital chains have their headquarters in these cities. These include the Apollo Group in Chennai, and Wockhard and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.

The three cities on the mission itinerary are the regional hubs for the Indian medical/healthcare industry. End-users often prefer to be serviced by regional distributors/agents based in these cities, rather than country-wide distributors. In all three cities the delegates will attend U.S. Embassy or Consulate industry briefings and take part in networking events and business matchmaking appointments.

• Pre-travel briefings/webinars on subjects including business practices in India and specifics on the medical/healthcare industry;

• Embassy/Consulate briefings on the business climate, political scenario, and medical/healthcare industry in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai;

• Pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners, distributors, end-users, or local industry contacts in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai;

• Meetings with Indian Government officials;

• Tour of public and private hospitals and interaction with senior hospital staff;

• Networking receptions in three cities of the trade mission;

• Built-up 9sq meter exhibitor booth * in the U.S. Pavilion at Medical Fair India, Mumbai. (Option two only.) * Contact us for price of booth.

Mission participants will be encouraged to arrive Saturday, March 6, 2010 to allow time to adjust to their new surroundings before the mission program begins on Monday, March 8.

All parties interested in participating in the Medical Trade Mission to India must complete and submit an application for consideration by the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. The mission is open on a first come first served basis to 15 qualified U.S. companies. Additional applications will be considered as time and space permits.

After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The participation fees reflect two options:

Option 1: March 8-13, 2010. Participation in the Trade Mission in all three cities: New Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai. The participation fee will be $4,600 for large firms and $3,900 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) 1 , this includes one principal representative. The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME) is $500.

Option 2: March 8-11, 2010 participate in the Trade Mission in two cities: New Delhi and Chennai and March 12-14, exhibit at the Medical Fair India 2010 in Mumbai. The participation fee for New Delhi-Chennai and exhibiting in the Fair in Mumbai $6,800 ($3,600 Trade Mission fee + $3,200 for 9 square meter booth space 2 ) for large firms and $ 6,100 ($2,900 Trade Mission fee + $3,200 for 9 square meter booth space) for an SME, which includes one principal representative. The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME) is $250.

Expenses for lodging, some meals, incidentals, and travel (except for transportation to and from meetings) will be the responsibility of each mission participant.

• An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on the company's products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation.

• Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content.

Selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Suitability of a company's products or services to the mission's goals.

• Applicant's potential for business in India, including likelihood of exports resulting from the trade mission.

• Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with the stated scope of the trade mission.

Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including posting in the Federal Register, the Commerce Department trade mission calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html), and other Internet Web sites; press releases to general and trade media; direct mail; notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups; and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than January 31, 2010.

U.S. Commercial Service Healthcare Team: Ms. Jetta DeNend, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, 33 Whitehall St. 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10004, Ph: 212-809-2644/Fax: 212-809-268, E-mail: Jetta.DeNend@mail.doc.gov.

U.S. Commercial Service in India: Mr. Srimoti Mukherji, U.S. Commercial Service, New Delhi, Ph: 91-11-23472000, ext 2226, Fax: 91-11-2331 5172, Srimoti.Mukherji@mail.doc.gov.

Dates:

Applications Available: January 8, 2010.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 26, 2010.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 27, 2010.

Purpose of Program: Past emergencies, such as the events of September 11, 2001, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and emergencies related to other natural and man-made hazards, reinforce the need for schools and communities to plan for traditional crises and emergencies, as well as other catastrophic events. The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant program provides funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish an emergency management process that focuses on reviewing and strengthening emergency management plans, within the framework of the four phases of emergency management (Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery). The program also provides resources to LEAs to provide training for staff on emergency management procedures and requires that LEAs develop comprehensive all-hazards emergency management plans in collaboration with community partners including local law enforcement; public safety, public health, and mental health agencies; and local government.

Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final priorities and requirements for this program, published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2009 (74 CFR 10656).

Absolute Priority: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.

This priority is:

LEA Projects Designed To Develop and Enhance Local Emergency Management Capacity.

Under this priority, we support LEA projects designed to create, strengthen, or improve emergency management plans at the LEA and school-building levels and build the capacity of LEA staff so that the LEA can continue the implementation of key emergency management functions after the period of Federal funding. Projects must include a plan to create, strengthen, or improve emergency management plans, at the LEA and school-building levels, and within the framework of the four phases of emergency management: Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Projects must also include: (1) Training for school personnel in emergency management procedures; (2) coordination, and the use of partnerships, with local law enforcement, public safety or emergency management, public health, and mental health agencies, and local government to assist in the development of emergency management plans at the LEA and school-building levels; (3) a plan to sustain the local partnerships after the period of Federal assistance; (4) a plan for communicating school emergency management policies and reunification procedures for parents and guardians and their children following an emergency; and (5) a written plan for improving LEA capacity to sustain the emergency management process through ongoing training and the continual review of policies and procedures.

Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional five points to an application that meets the competitive preference priority.

This priority is:

Priority for Applicants That Have Not Previously Received a Grant Under The REMS Program (CFDA 84.184E).

Under this priority, we give competitive preference to applications from LEAs that have not previously received a grant under this program (CFDA 84.184E). Applicants, including educational service agencies (ESAs), that have received funding under this program directly, or as the lead agency or as a partner in a consortium application under this program, will not meet this priority. Under a consortium application, all members of the LEA consortium must meet this criterion to meet this priority.

Final Requirements: These requirements are from the notice of final priorities and requirements for this program, published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2009 (74 FR 10656). The following requirements apply to all applications submitted under this competition:

1. Partner Agreements. To be considered for a grant award, an applicant must include in its application an agreement that details the participation of each of the following five community-based partners: The law enforcement agency, the public safety or emergency management agency, the public health agency, the mental health agency, and the head of the applicant's local government (for example the mayor, city manager, or county executive). The agreement must include a description of each partner's roles and responsibilities in improving and strengthening emergency management plans at the LEA and school-building levels, a description of each partner's commitment to the continuation and continuous improvement of emergency management plans at the LEA and school-building levels, and the signature of an authorized representative of the LEA and each partner acknowledging the agreement. For consortium applications, each LEA to be served by the grant must submit a complete set of partner agreements with the signature of an authorized representative of the LEA and each corresponding partner acknowledging the agreement.

If one or more of the five partners listed in this requirement is not present in the applicant's community, or cannot feasibly participate, the agreement must explain the absence of each missing partner. To be considered eligible for funding, however, an application must include a signed agreement between the LEA, a law enforcement partner, and at least one of the other required partners (public safety or emergency management agency, public health agency, mental health agency, or the head of the local government).

Applications that fail to include the required agreement, including information on partners' roles and responsibilities and on their commitment to continuation and continuous improvement (with signatures and explanations for missing signatures as specified above), will not be read.

Although this program requires partnerships with other parties, administrative direction and fiscal control for the project must remain with the LEA.

2. Coordination with State or Local Homeland Security Plan. All emergency management plans receiving funding under this program must be coordinated with the Homeland Security Plan of the State or locality in which the LEA is located. To ensure that emergency services are coordinated, and to avoid duplication of effort within States and localities, applicants must include in their applications an assurance that the LEA will coordinate with and follow the requirements of their State or local Homeland Security Plan for emergency services and initiatives.

3. Infectious Disease Plan. To be considered for a grant award, applicants must agree to develop a written plan designed to prepare the LEA for a possible infectious disease outbreak, such as pandemic influenza. Plans must address the four phases of emergency management (Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery) and include a plan for disease surveillance (systematic collection and analysis of data that lead to action being taken to prevent and control a disease), school closure decision making, business continuity (processes and procedures established to ensure that essential functions can continue during and after a disaster), and continuation of educational services.

4. Food Defense Plan. To be considered for a grant award, applicants must agree to develop a written food defense plan that includes the four phases of emergency management (Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery) and is designed to safeguard the LEA's food supply, including all food storage and preparation facilities and delivery areas within the LEA.

5. Individuals with Disabilities. Applicants must agree to develop plans that take into consideration the communication, medical, and evacuation needs of individuals with disabilities within the schools in the LEA.

6. Implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Applicants must agree to implement their grant in a manner consistent with the implementation of the NIMS in their communities. Applicants must include in their applications an assurance that they have met, or will complete, all current NIMS requirements by the end of the grant period.

Because DHS' determination of NIMS requirements may change from year to year, applicants must refer to the most recent list of NIMS requirements published by DHS when submitting their applications. Information about the FY 2009 NIMS requirements for tribal governments and local jurisdictions, including LEAs, may be found at: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/FY2009_NIMS_Implementation_Chart.pdf.

Additional information about NIMS implementation is available at: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7131.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 299. (c) The notice of final priorities and requirements, published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2009 (74 CFR 10656). (d) The notice of final eligibility requirement for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools discretionary grant programs published in the Federal Register on December 4, 2006 (71 CFR 70369).

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: $29,000,000.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards later in FY 2010 and in FY 2011 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$600,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $150,000 for a small-size LEA (1-20 education facilities); $300,000 for a medium-size LEA (21-75 education facilities); and $600,000 for a large-size LEA (76 or more education facilities).

Estimated Number of Awards: 96.

Project Period: Up to 24 months. Budgets should be developed for a single award with a project period of up to 24 months. No continuation awards will be provided.

1. Eligible Applicants: LEAs, including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law, that do not currently have an active grant under the REMS program (CFDA 84.184E). For the purpose of this eligibility requirement, a grant is considered active until the end of the grant's project or funding period, including any extension of those periods that extend the grantee's authority to obligate funds. This eligibility requirement is from the notice of final eligibility requirement published in the Federal Register on December 4, 2006 (71 FR 70369).

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost sharing or matching.

3. Other:

a. Equitable Participation by Private School Children and Teachers in Grant Program Activities.

Section 9501 of the ESEA, requires that State educational agencies (SEAs), LEAs, or other entities receiving funds under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act provide for the equitable participation of private school children, their teachers, and other educational personnel in private schools located in areas served by the grant recipient. In order to ensure that grant program activities address the needs of private school children, LEAs must engage in timely and meaningful consultation with private school officials during the design and development of the program. This consultation must take place before any decision is made that affects the opportunities of eligible private school children, teachers, and other education personnel to participate in grant program activities.

In order to ensure equitable participation of private school children, teachers, and other educational personnel, an LEA must consult with private school officials on such issues as: Hazards and vulnerabilities unique to private schools in the LEA's service area, training needs, and existing emergency management plans and resources already available at private schools.

b. Maintenance of Effort.

Section 9521 of the ESEA permits LEAs to receive a grant only if the SEA finds that the combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate expenditures of the LEA and the State with respect to the provision of free public education by the LEA for the preceding fiscal year was not less than 90 percent of the combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the second preceding fiscal year.

1. Address To Request Application Package: You can obtain an application package via the Internet. To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.

Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person listed under Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition.

3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: January 8, 2010. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 26, 2010.

Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV.6. Other Submission Requirements of this notice.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.

Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual's application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 27, 2010.

4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition.

5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications.

If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you must use e-Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

While completing your electronic application, you will be entering data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.

Please note the following:

• Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.

• You must complete the electronic submission of your grant application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process.

• The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.

• You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format.

• You must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide on the following forms: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material.

• Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice.

• Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may wish to print a copy of it for your records.

• After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number (an identifying number unique to your application).

• Within three working days after submitting your electronic application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control Center after following these steps:

(1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.

(2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.

(3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.

(4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 245-6272.

• We may request that you provide us original signatures on other forms at a later date.

Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because e-Application is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this extension if—

(1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have initiated an electronic application for this competition; and

(2) (a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date; or

(b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.

We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users who have initiated an e-Application.

Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application. If e-Application is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to submit your application electronically or you do not receive an automatic acknowledgment of your submission, you may submit your application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with the instructions in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.

If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.184E), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.

You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.

If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.184E), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department—

(1) You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and

(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this grant notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. For this competition, you must also submit an interim report 12 months after the award date. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

4. Performance Measure: We have identified the following key Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) performance measure for assessing the effectiveness of the REMS grant program: The average number of National Incident Management System (NIMS) course completions by key personnel at the start of the grant compared to the average number of NIMS course completions by key personnel at the end of the grant.

This GPRA measure constitutes the Department's indicator of success for this program. Applicants for a grant under this program are advised to give careful consideration to this measure in designing their proposed project, including considering how data for the measure will be collected. Grantees will be required to collect and report, in their interim and final performance reports, baseline data and data on their progress with regard to this measure.

Dates:

Applications Available: January 8, 2010.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 22, 2010.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 23, 2010.

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program is to increase student access to high-quality mental health care by developing innovative approaches that link school systems with the local mental health system.

Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority is from section 5541 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 7269).

Absolute Priority: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.

This priority is:

Increasing student access to quality mental health care by developing innovative approaches to link local school systems with the local mental health system. A program funded under this absolute priority must include all of the following activities:

(1) Enhancing, improving, or developing collaborative efforts between school-based service systems and mental health service systems to provide, enhance, or improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services to students.

(2) Enhancing the availability of crisis intervention services, appropriate referrals for students potentially in need of mental health services, and ongoing mental health services.

(3) Providing training for the school personnel and mental health professionals who will participate in the program.

(4) Providing technical assistance and consultation to school systems and mental health agencies and families participating in the program.

(5) Providing linguistically appropriate and culturally competent services.

(6) Evaluating the effectiveness of the program in increasing student access to quality mental health services, and making recommendations to the Secretary about sustainability of the program.

Under this competition we are particularly interested in applications that address the following priority.

Invitational Priority: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute priority over other applications.

This priority is:

Low-Achieving Schools.

Projects that are designed to dramatically improve student achievement in schools identified for corrective action or restructuring under Title I of the ESEA or in high schools with graduation rates of less than 60 percent through either comprehensive interventions or targeted approaches to reform.

Additional Requirements: The following requirements are from the notice of final requirements for this program, published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2006 (71 FR 30778).

Recipients of a grant under the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program are required to coordinate project activities with projects funded under the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Mental Health Transformation State Infrastructure Grants (MHTSIG) program (CFDA 93.243), if a grantee's State receives a MHTSIG award. If a recipient of a grant under the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program has received or receives a grant under the Department of Education's Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) program (CFDA 84.184E), formerly known as the Emergency Response and Crisis Management program, the recipient must coordinate mental health service activities under this grant with those planned under its REMS grant. Projects funded by this program must complement, rather than duplicate, existing or ongoing efforts.

Former or current recipients under the Safe Schools/Healthy Students program (CFDA 84.184L) are not eligible to receive a Grant for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems. Recipients of Safe Schools/Healthy Students awards are responsible for completing a scope of work under that program that is very similar to the activities required under the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program. By restricting the applicant pool to eliminate former or current grantees under the Safe Schools/Healthy Students program, we will be able to focus Federal funds on entities that have not yet received Federal support to develop and implement strong linkages with other entities in their communities for the provision of mental health services to students.

Applicants may compete for both the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems and Safe Schools/Healthy Students programs in the same year; if applicants are deemed eligible for funding in both grant competitions, the applicant will receive the larger and more comprehensive of the awards.

Applicants for an award under the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program must develop and submit with their applications a preliminary interagency agreement (IAA). The IAA must contain the signatures of an authorized representative of at least (1) one or more State or local educational agencies or Indian Tribes; (2) one or more juvenile justice authorities; and (3) one or more State or local public mental health agencies. This preliminary IAA would confirm the commitment of these partners to complete the work under the proposed project, if funded. If the applicant is funded, recipients will complete a final IAA as required by section 5541(e) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). The final IAA must be completed and submitted to us, signed by all parties, no later than 12 months after the award date.

Applications that do not include the proposed preliminary IAA with all of the required signatures will be rejected and not be considered for funding.

The final Interagency Agreement (IAA) must include a description of policies and procedures that would ensure appropriate parental or caregiver consent for any planned services, pursuant to State or local laws or other requirements.

Grant funds under this program must not be used to provide direct services to students.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, 99, and 299. (b) The notice of final requirements for this program, published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2006 (71 FR 30778).

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: $5,913,000.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards later in FY 2010 and in FY 2011 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$400,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $347,800.

Estimated Number of Awards: 17.

Project Period: Up to 24 months. Budgets should be developed for a single award with a project period of up to 24 months. No continuation awards will be provided.

1. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law, and Indian Tribes. Additional eligibility requirements are listed elsewhere in this notice under Additional Requirements in section I. of this notice.

2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-supplant funding requirements in accordance with section 5541(i) of the ESEA.

1. Address To Request Application Package: You can obtain an application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/mentalhealth/applicant.html. To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: Education Publications Center, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.

You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.

If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.215M.

Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this program.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

Applications Available: January 8, 2010.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 22, 2010.

Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission Requirements of this notice.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.

Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual's application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 23, 2010.

4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this program.

5. Funding Restrictions: Grant funds under this program must not be used to provide direct services to students or families. Funding restrictions for this competition can be found in the notice of final requirements published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2006 (71 FR 30778). We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications.

If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you must use e-Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

While completing your electronic application, you will be entering data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.

Please note the following:

• Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.

• You must complete the electronic submission of your grant application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process.

• The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.

• You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format.

• You must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide on the following forms: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material.

• Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice.

• Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may wish to print a copy of it for your records.

• After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number (an identifying number unique to your application).

• Within three working days after submitting your electronic application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control Center after following these steps:

(1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.

(2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.

(3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.

(4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 245-6272.

• We may request that you provide us original signatures on other forms at a later date.

Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because e-Application is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this extension if—

(1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have initiated an electronic application for this competition; and

(2) (a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date; or

(b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.

We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users who have initiated an e-Application.

Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application. If e-Application is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to submit your application electronically or you do not receive an automatic acknowledgment of your submission, you may submit your application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with the instructions in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.

If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.215M), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.

You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.

If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.215M), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department—

(1) You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and

(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this grant notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package.

2. Review and Selection Process: Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an award are the equitable distribution of grants among the geographical regions of the United States and among urban, suburban, and rural populations.

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. You must also submit an interim progress report twelve months after the award date. This report should provide the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

4. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of the Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program:

a. The percentage of schools served by the grant that have comprehensive, detailed linkage protocols in place; and

b. The percentage of school personnel served by the grant who are trained to make appropriate referrals to mental health services.

These two measures constitute the Department's measures of success for this program. Consequently, applicants for a grant under this program are advised to give careful consideration to these two measures in conceptualizing the approach and evaluation of their proposed project. If funded, applicants will be asked to collect and report data in their interim and final performance reports about progress toward these measures. The Secretary will also use this information to respond to the evaluation requirements concerning this program established in section 5541(f) of the ESEA. For specific requirements on grantee reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

Dates:

Applications Available: January 8, 2010.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 8, 2010.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 10, 2010.

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the program is to provide grants to eligible applicants to improve postsecondary education.

Priorities: This competition includes one absolute priority and one invitational priority.

Absolute Priority: This priority is from the notice of final priorities for this program, published in the Federal Register on December 11, 2009 (74 FR 65764). For FY 2010, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this absolute priority.

This priority is:

European Union (EU)-United States (U.S.) Atlantis Program—(84.116J).

This priority supports the formation of educational consortia between the EU and U.S. institutions. To meet this priority, the applicant must propose a project that encourages cooperation in the coordination of curricula; the exchange of students, if pertinent to grant activities; and the opening of educational opportunities between the U.S. and EU Member States. In order to be eligible for an award under this priority, the applicant in the U.S. must be a U.S. institution and the applicant in the EU must be an EU institution.

EU institutions participating in any consortium proposal under this priority may apply to the Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC), European Commission, for funding under a separate but parallel EU competition.

Invitational Priority: For FY 2010, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.

This priority is:

Projects that support exchanges between EU institutions and U.S. minority-serving institutions to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities in the program.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d.

Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $47,424,000 for the FIPSE programs, of which we intend to allocate $2,000,000 for new awards for the EU-U.S. Atlantis program in FY 2010. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Estimated Range of Awards: $35,000-$108,000 for the first year only.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $35,000 for the first year of two-year Policy Oriented Measures grants that support public policy research on transatlantic topics; $45,000 for the first year of four-year Mobility grants that support curriculum development and academic term exchanges; and $102,000 for the first year of five-year Transatlantic Degree grants that support the development and implementation of dual degrees. You can find a detailed description of each of these three types of grants in the program guidelines and budget instructions in the application package for this competition.

Estimated Number of Awards: 25.

Project Period: Up to 60 months.

1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs or combinations of IHEs and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address: http://e-grants.ed.gov. To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: Education Publications Center, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.

You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.

If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.116J.

Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Word Limit and Application Format: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the application narrative to no more than 6,000 words. The page format for the application must comply with the following standards:

• Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.

• Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).

• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font (including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.

The 6,000-word limit applies only to the application narrative. It does not apply to the Application for Federal Assistance form (SF 424); the supplemental information form required by the Department of Education; the budget summary form (ED Form 524); and the assurances, certifications, and survey forms. In addition, the 6,000-word limit does not apply to the one-page abstract, appendices, the short bios, letters of commitment, line item budget, or a table of contents. You must include your complete response to the selection criteria in the program narrative.

We will reject your application if you exceed the 6,000-word limit.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

Applications Available: January 8, 2010.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 8, 2010.

Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, please refer to section IV.6. Other Submission Requirements of this notice.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.

Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual's application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 10, 2010.

4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this program.

5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications. Applications for grants under the EU-U.S. Atlantis Program—CFDA Number 84.116J must be submitted electronically using e-Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.

While completing your electronic application, you will be entering data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.

Please note the following:

• You must complete the electronic submission of your grant application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process.

• The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.

• You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your application in paper format.

• You must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide on the following forms: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material.

• Your electronic application must comply with the word limit requirement described in this notice.

• Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may wish to print a copy of it for your records.

• After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number (an identifying number unique to your application).

• Within three working days after submitting your electronic application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control Center after following these steps:

(1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.

(2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.

(3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.

(4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 245-6272.

• We may request that you provide us original signatures on other forms at a later date.

Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of e-Application Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because e-Application is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this extension if—

(1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have initiated an electronic application for this competition; and

(2)(a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date; or

(b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.

We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users who have initiated an e-Application. Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application.

Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application through e-Application because—

• You do not have access to the Internet; or

• You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to e-Application; and

• No later than two weeks before the application deadline date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.

Address and mail or fax your statement to: Frank Frankfort, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 6152, Washington, DC 20006-8544. FAX: (202) 502-7877.

Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.116J), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.

You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.116J), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department—

(1) You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and

(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this grant notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.

2. Review and Selection Process: An additional factor we consider in selecting an application for an award is demonstration of a transatlantic, innovative approach to training and education.

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the following two performance measures will be used by the Department in assessing the success of the FIPSE—Special Focus Competition: EU-U.S. Atlantis Program:

(1) The extent to which funded projects are being replicated (i.e., adopted or adapted by others).

(2) The manner in which projects are being institutionalized and continued after funding.

If funded, you will be asked to collect and report data from your project on steps taken toward achieving the outcomes evaluated by these performance measures (i.e., institutionalization and replication). Consequently, applicants are advised to include these two outcomes in conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their proposed projects. Institutionalization and replication are important outcomes that ensure the ultimate success of international consortia funded through this program.

For Further Information Contact: Frank Frankfort, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, EU-U.S. Atlantis Program, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 6154, Washington, DC 20006-8544. Telephone: (202) 502-7513 or by e-mail: frank.frankfort@ed.gov.

If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice.

Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site.

Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated authority to Daniel T. Madzelan, Director, Forecasting and Policy Analysis for the Office of Postsecondary Education, to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File a License Application for an Original License for a Hydrokinetic Pilot Project.

b. Project No.: 12690-003.

c. Date Filed: December 28, 2009.

d. Submitted By: Public Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish County, Washington (Snohomish PUD)

e. Name of Project: Admiralty Inlet Pilot Tidal Project.

f. Location: On the east side of Admiralty Inlet in Puget Sound, Washington, about 1 kilometer west of Whidbey Island, entirely within Island County, Washington. The project would not occupy any Federal lands.

g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 and 5.5 of the Commission's regulations.

h. Applicant Contact: Steven J. Klein, Public Utility District of Snohomish County, Washington, P.O. Box 1107, 2320, California Street, Everett, WA 98206-1107; (425) 783-8473.

i. FERC Contact: David Turner (202) 502-6091.

j. Snohomish PUD has filed with the Commission: (1) A notice of intent (NOI) to file an application for an original license for a hydrokinetic pilot project and a draft license application with monitoring plans; (2) a request for waivers of the integrated licensing process regulations necessary for expedited processing of a hydrokinetic pilot project license application; and (3) a proposed process plan and schedule.

k. With this notice, we are soliciting comments on the pre-filing materials listed in paragraph j above, including the draft license application and monitoring plans. All comments should be sent to the address above in paragraph h. In addition, all comments (original and eight copies) must be filed with the Commission at the following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. All filings with the Commission must include on the first page, the project name (Admiralty Inlet Pilot Tidal Project) and number (P-12690-003), and bear the heading “Comments on the proposed Admiralty Inlet Pilot Tidal Project.” Any individual or entity interested in submitting comments on the pre-filing materials must do so by February 26, 2010.

Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. 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.

l. Snohomish PUD was designated as the non-federal representative for section 7 of the Endangered Species Act consultation and for section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act on November 7, 2008.

m. This notice does not constitute the Commission's approval of Snohomish PUD's request to use the Pilot Project Licensing Procedures. Upon its review of the project's overall characteristics relative to the pilot project criteria, the draft license application contents, and any comments filed, the Commission will determine whether there is adequate information to conclude the pre-filing process.

n. The proposed Admiralty Inlet Pilot Tidal Project would consist of (1) two 10-meter, 500-kilowatt (kW) Open-Centre Turbines supplied by OpenHydro Group Ltd., mounted on completely submerged gravity foundations; (2) two 250-meter service cables connected at a subsea junction box or spliced to a 0.5-kilometer subsea transmission cable, connecting to a cable termination vault about 50 meters from shore; (3) two 81-meter-long buried conduits containing the two DC transmission lines from the turbines and connecting to a power conditioning and control building; (4) a 140-meter-long buried cable from the control building to the grid; and (5) appurtenant facilities for operation and maintenance. The estimated annual generation of the project is 383,000 kilowatt-hours.

o. A copy of the draft license application and all pre-filing materials are available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site (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 FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.

p. Pre-filing process schedule. The pre-filing process will be conducted pursuant to the following tentative schedule. Snohomish PUD plans to complete studies in 2010 to provide further support for the environmental analysis. Revisions to the schedule below may be made based on staff's review of the draft application and any comments received.

q. Register online at http://ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm to be notified via e-mail of new filing and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897), the Office of Energy Projects has reviewed the application for a new major license for the Coosa River Hydroelectric Project (Coosa River Project), which includes the Weiss, H. Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay, and Bouldin developments; the Mitchell Hydroelectric Project (P-82); and the Jordan Hydroelectric Project (P-618). Alabama Power Company has requested that Project Nos. 2146, 82, and 618 be consolidated into one project. We are processing these three projects under Project No. 2146-111. This final environmental assessment (EA) is a cooperative undertaking between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Commission.

The Coosa River Project is located on the Coosa River, in the States of Alabama and Georgia. The Logan Martin development affects less than 1 acre of Federal lands, the Lay development affects 133.5 acres of Federal lands, the Mitchell Project affects 127.3 acres of Federal lands, and the Jordan Project affects 10.1 acres of Federal lands. Staff has prepared a final EA for the project.

The final EA contains staff's analysis of the potential environmental effects of the project and concludes that licensing the project, with appropriate environmental protective measures, would not constitute a major Federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

A copy of the final EA is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may 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 field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.

For further information, please contact Janet Hutzel at (202) 502-8675 or at janet.hutzel@ferc.gov.

Take notice that on December 16, 2009, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy submitted Rate Order No. WAPA-146, confirmed and approved on an interim basis, effective on January 1, 2010, Rate Schedule L-F9 for firm electric service from the Loveland Area Projects, and under the authority vested in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Delegation Order No. 00-037.00, submitted Rate Schedule L-F9 for confirmation and approval on a final basis effective January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2014.

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 pm Eastern Time on January 15, 2010.

Take notice that on December 16, 2009, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy submitted Rate Order No. WAPA-147, confirmed and approved on an interim basis, effective on January 1, 2010, Rate Schedule P-SED-F11 for firm power service from the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program—Eastern Division (PSMBP—ED) and Rate Schedule P-SED-FP-11 for firm peaking power from the P-SMBP—ED, and under the authority vested in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Delegation Order No. 00-037.00, submitted Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 for confirmation and approval on a final basis effective January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2014.

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 15, 2010.

Take notice that on December 23, 2009, Christian County Generation, LLC pursuant to section 207 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207 (2009), filed a petition for declaratory order requesting the Commission to confirm the reasonableness of their proposed 11.5 percent return on equity and hypothetical capital structure of 55 percent debt and 45 percent equity in connection with a levelized or deferred capital recovery method under formula rates to be filed at a later date for power sales from their proposed new Taylorville Energy Center.

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, 2010.

Take notice that on November 12, 2009, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco), tendered for filing an application for an order permitting and approving the partial abandonment of firm transportation service provided to the City of Danville, Virginia under Transco's Rate Schedule FT.

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 8, 2010.

Take notice that on December 24, 2009, Terra-Gen Dixie Valley, LLC, TGP Dixie Development Company, LLC and New York Canyon, LLC (“Petitioners”), pursuant to section 207 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207 (2009), filed a petition for declaratory order requesting that the Commission confirm Petitioners firm transmission rights to 360 MW of capacity in the Dixie Valley 212-mile long 230 kV radial generator tie-line to interconnect Petitioners' existing and planned geothermal projects to the integrated transmission system.

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 25, 2010.

Take notice that on December 23, 2009, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy submitted Rate Order Nos. WAPA-144 and WAPA-148, confirmed and approved on an interim basis, effective on January 1, 2010, Rate Schedules UGP-NT1, UGP-FPT1, UGP-NFPT1, UGP-AS1, UGP-AS2, UGP-AS3, UGP-AS4, UGP-AS5, UGP-AS6, and UGP-AS7 for transmission and ancillary services from the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program—Eastern Division and Rate Schedule UGP-TSP1 for Transmission Service Penalty Rate for Unreserved Use for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program—Eastern Division, and under the authority vested in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Delegation Order No. 00-037.00, submitted Rate Schedules UGP-NT1, UGP-FPT1, UGP-NFPT1, UGP-AS1, UGP-AS2, UGP-AS3, UGP-AS4, UGP-AS5, UGP-AS6, UGP-AS7, and UGP-TSP1 for confirmation and approval on a final basis effective January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2014.

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, 2010.

This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of Castle Energy Services LLC's application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes a request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR Part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file 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 and 385.214). Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant.

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with regard to the applicant's request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability, is January 19, 2010.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at http://www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests.

Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

The filings in the above-referenced proceeding are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also 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.

Responsible Agency: Office of Federal Activities, General Information (202) 564-1399 or http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/.

In accordance with Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to make its comments on EISs issued by other Federal agencies public. Historically, EPA has met this mandate by publishing weekly notices of availability of EPA comments, which includes a brief summary of EPA's comment letters, in the Federal Register. Since February 2008, EPA has been including its comment letters on EISs on its Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. Including the entire EIS comment letters on the Web site satisfies the Section 309(a) requirement to make EPA's comments on EISs available to the public. Accordingly, after March 31, 2010, EPA will discontinue the publication of this notice of availability of EPA comments in the Federal Register.

Pursuant to the provisions of the “Government in the Sunshine Act” (5 U.S.C. 552b), notice is hereby given that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Board of Directors will meet in open session at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, to consider the following matters:

The notificants listed below have applied under the Change in Bank Control Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and § 225.41 of the Board’s Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.41) to acquire a bank or bank holding company. The factors that are considered in acting on the notices are set forth in paragraph 7 of the Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(7)).

The notices are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notices also will be available for inspection at the office of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing to the Reserve Bank indicated for that notice or to the offices of the Board of Governors. Comments must be received not later than January 24, 2010.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Colette A. Fried, Assistant Vice President) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690-1414:

1. James J. Banks, Chicago Illinois, to retain 10 percent or more, and to acquire additional voting shares of Belmont Financial Group, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, and thereby indirectly retain control of Belmont Bank and Trust Company, Chicago, Illinois.

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 website 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 3, 2010.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Dennis Denney, Assistant Vice President) 1 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64198-0001:

1. Colorow Investment Corp, Greenwood Village, Colorado, to become a bank holding company byacquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of TBHC, Inc., and thereby indirectly acquire Centennial Bank, both in Centennial, Colorado.

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships announces the following meeting:

Name: President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Council Meeting.

Time and Date: January 11th and January 12th from 4-6 p.m. EST.

Place: Meetings will be held via conference call. Please contact Mara Vanderslice for call-in information at mara.vanderslice@hhs.gov.

Status: Open to the public, limited only by the space available. Conference call line will be available.

Purpose: The Council brings together leaders and experts in fields related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations in order to: Identify best practices and successful modes of delivering social services; evaluate the need for improvements in the implementation and coordination of public policies relating to faith- based and other neighborhood organizations; and make recommendations for changes in policies, programs, and practices.

Contact Person For Additional Information: Mara Vanderslice at mara.vanderslice@hhs.gov.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: The Fiscal Soundness Reporting Requirements; Use: CMS is assigned responsibility for overseeing all Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAO), Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) sponsors, 1876 Cost Plans, Demonstration Plans and PACE organizations on-going financial performance. Specifically, CMS needs the requested collection of information to establish that contracting entities within those programs maintain fiscally sound organizations. Refer to the supporting documents for a list of changes to this collection. Form Number: CMS-906 (OMB#: 0938-0469); Frequency: Reporting—Yearly and Quarterly; Affected Public: Private Sector: Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 514; Total Annual Responses: 1039; Total Annual Hours: 346. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Robert Ahern at 410-786-0073. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' Web Site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995, or E-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.

In commenting on the proposed information collections please reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of the following ways by March 9, 2010:

1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for “Comment or Submission” or “More Search Options” to find the information collection document(s) accepting comments.

2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB Control Number, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces, the following meeting of the aforementioned committee:

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the following committee meeting:

Times and Dates:

Place: CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Tom Harkin Global Communications Center, Building 19, Room 232, Auditorium B, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.

Online Registration Required: In order to expedite the security clearance process at the CDC Roybal Campus located on Clifton Road, all CLIAC attendees are required to register for the meeting online at least 14 days in advance at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/cliac/default.aspx by clicking the “Register for a Meeting” link and completing all forms according to the instructions given. Please complete all the required fields before submitting your registration and submit no later than January 26, 2010.

Status: Open to the public, limited only by the space available. The meeting room accommodates approximately 100 people.

Purpose: This Committee is charged with providing scientific and technical advice and guidance to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Director, CDC, regarding the need for, and the nature of, revisions to the standards under which clinical laboratories are regulated; the impact on medical and laboratory practice of proposed revisions to the standards; and the modification of the standards to accommodate technological advances.

Matters To Be Discussed: The agenda will include updates from the CDC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration; a report from the CLIAC Biochemical Genetic Testing Workgroup and discussion of the Workgroup's proposals related to good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing; and presentations and discussions related to electronic health records and electronic transmission of laboratory information.

Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate.

Providing Oral or Written Comments: It is the policy of CLIAC to accept written public comments and provide a brief period for oral public comments whenever possible.

Oral Comments: In general, each individual or group requesting to make an oral presentation will be limited to a total time of five minutes (unless otherwise indicated). Speakers must also submit their comments in writing for inclusion in the meeting's Summary Report. To assure adequate time is scheduled for public comments, individuals or groups planning to make an oral presentation should, when possible, notify the contact person below at least one week prior to the meeting date.

Written Comments: For individuals or groups unable to attend the meeting, CLIAC accepts written comments until the date of the meeting (unless otherwise stated). However, the comments should be received at least one week prior to the meeting date so that the comments may be made available to the Committee for their consideration and public distribution. Written comments, one hard copy with original signature, should be provided to the contact person below. Written comments will be included in the meeting's Summary Report.

Contact Person for Additional Information: Nancy Anderson, Chief, Laboratory Practice Standards Branch, Division of Laboratory Systems, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop F-11, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; telephone (404) 498-2741; fax (404) 498-2219; or via e-mail at Nancy.Anderson@cdc.hhs.gov.

The Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register Notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meeting.

The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meetings.

The meetings will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meetings.

The meetings will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council.

The meeting will be open to the public as indicated below, with attendance limited to space available. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and/or contract proposals and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications and/or contract proposals, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Pursuant to section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the AIDS Research Advisory Committee, NIAID.

The meeting will be open to the public, with attendance limited to space available. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

Pursuant to (36 CFR 60.13(b,c)) and (36 CFR 63.5), this notice, through publication of the information included herein, is to apprise the public as well as governmental agencies, associations and all other organizations and individuals interested in historic preservation, of the properties added to, or determined eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places from October 19 to October 23, and on December 30, 2009.

For further information, please contact Edson Beall via: United States Postal Service mail, at the National Register of Historic Places, 2280, National Park Service, 1849 C St., NW., Washington, DC 20240; in person (by appointment), 1201 Eye St., NW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005; by fax, 202-371-2229; by phone, 202-354-2255; or by e-mail, Edson_Beall@nps.gov.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Justice Management Division, Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management (OARM), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until March 9, 2010. 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 Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC, 20530. Additionally, comments may be submitted to OMB via facsimile to 202-395-7285. Comments may also be submitted to the Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Suite 1600, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 proposed 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.

Overview of this information collection:

(1) Type of information collection: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: Electronic Applications for the Attorney General's Honors Program and the Summer Law Intern Program.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the department sponsoring the collection: Form Number: none. Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. Other: None. The application form is submitted voluntarily, once a year by law students and judicial law clerks who will be in this applicant pool only once; the revision to this collection concerns two additional forms required to be submitted only by those applicants who were selected to be interviewed by DOJ components. Both of these forms seek information in order to prepare both the official Travel Authorizations prior to the interviewees' performing pre-employment interview travel (as defined by 41 CFR 301-1.3), and the official Travel Vouchers after the travel is completed. The first new form is the Travel Survey—used by the Department in scheduling travel and/or hotel accommodations, which in turn provides the estimated travel costs required by the Travel Authorization form. The second new form is a simple Reimbursement Form—the interviewees are asked to provide their travel costs and/or hotel accommodations (if applicable) in order for the Department to prepare the Travel Vouchers required before these interviewees can be reimbursed by the Department for the authorized costs they incurred during this pre-employment interview travel.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: It is estimated that 5000 respondents will complete the application in approximately 1 hour per application. The revised burden would include 600 respondents who will complete the travel survey in approximately 10 minutes per form, and 600 respondents who will complete the reimbursement form in approximately 10 minutes per form.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The estimated revised total annual public burden associated with this application is 5200 hours.

If additional information is required contact Lynn Bryant, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Suite 1600, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 20530.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), CRT will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for “sixty days” until March 9, 2010. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

If you have comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Robert S. Berman, U.S. Department of Justice, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 7243 NWB, Washington, DC 20530.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

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

—Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

—Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

—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: Extension of a currently approved collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Procedures for the Administration of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(3) Agency form number: None.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: State or Local or Tribal Government. Other: None. Abstract: Jurisdictions specially covered under the Voting Rights Act are required to comply with Section 5 of the Act before they may implement any change in a standard, practice, or procedure affecting voting. One option for such compliance is to submit that change to Attorney General for review and establish that the proposed voting changes are not racially discriminatory. The procedures facilitate the provision of information that will enable the Attorney General to make the required determination.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 4,109 respondents will complete each form within approximately 10.02 hours.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: There are an estimated 41,172 total annual burden hours associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Lynn Bryant, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Notice is hereby given that on December 22, 2009 a proposed consent decree (“proposed Decree”) in United States v. Thoro Products Company, Civil Action No. 04-M-2330, was lodged with the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

In this action under Section 107(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a) (“CERCLA”), the United States sought to recover response costs incurred or to be incurred by the United States as a result of releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances from the solvent recycling facility operated by Thoro Products Company located at the Rocky Flats Industrial Park Superfund Site, in Jefferson County, Colorado. The proposed Decree requires the defendant to pay $573,355.54 to the United States in reimbursement of past and future response costs, and provides the defendant with a covenant not to sue under Sections 106 and 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607(a).

The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this publication comments relating to the proposed Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and either e-mailed to pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to United States v. Thoro Products Company, D.J. Ref. 90-11-3-1719/7.

The proposed Decree may be examined at the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, 1225 17th Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202, and at U.S. EPA Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202-1129. During the public comment period, the proposed Decree may also be examined on the following Department of Justice Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html. A copy of the proposed Decree may also be obtained by mail from the Consent Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611 or by faxing or e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood (tonia.fleetwood@usdoj.gov), fax no. (202) 514-0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514-1547. In requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $16.00 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury or, if by e-mail or fax, forward a check in that amount to the Consent Decree Library at the stated address.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 53760 (October 20, 2009), allowing for a 60 day comment period.

The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days for public comment until February 8, 2010. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice, especially the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503. Additionally, comments may be submitted to OMB via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

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

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• 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: Extension of a currently approved collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Reporting and recordkeeping for digital certificates.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection:

Form Number:

DEA Form 251: CSOS DEA Registrant Certificate Application.

DEA Form 252: CSOS Principal Coordinator/Alternate Coordinator Certificate Application.

DEA Form 253: CSOS Power of Attorney Certificate Application.

DEA Form 254: CSOS Certificate Application Registrant List Addendum.

CSOS Certificate Revocation.

Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Primary: Business or other for-profit.

Other: Non-profit, State and local government.

Abstract: Persons use these forms to apply for DEA-issued digital certificates to order Schedule I and II controlled substances. Certificates must be renewed upon renewal of the DEA registration to which the certificate is linked. Certificates may be revoked and/or replaced when information on which the certificate is based changes.

(4) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond:

Total number of respondents: 38,000 per year and 113,000 for the three-year period. Average time to respond: 0.58 hours.

(5) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: It is estimated that there are 21,129 annual burden hours associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Lynn Bryant, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

The Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB approval has been requested by February 11, 2010. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until March 9, 2010. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

All comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to Douglas Dvorak, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cyber Division, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20535, (202) 651-3269.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed 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 agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 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 of other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

(1) Type of information collection: New collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: InfraGard Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Profile.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the department sponsoring the collection: Form Number: None; Sponsor: Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Public and private professionals self-identified as having information technology expertise. Brief Abstract: InfraGard is a public/private alliance as mandated in Presidential Decision Directive 63. This form is used to classify members according to their expertise.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: There are approximately 28,000 InfraGard members, for a total of 28,000 responses with an estimated response time of two minutes per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with this collection: There are approximately 917 hours, annual burden, associated with this information collection.

If additional information is required contact: Ms. Lynn Bryant, Department Clearance Officer, Policy and Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of Justice, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register Volume 74, Number 201, page 53759 on October 20, 2009, allowing for a 60-day comment period.

The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days for public comment until February 8, 2010. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice, especially the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503. Additionally, comments may be submitted to OMB via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

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

—Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

—Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

—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: Extension Reinstatement with Change of a Previously Approved Collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: National Drug Threat Survey.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: NDIC Form # A-34j.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Federal, State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. This survey is a critical component of the National Drug Threat Assessment and other reports and assessments produced by the National Drug Intelligence Center. It provides direct access to detailed drug threat data from State and local law enforcement agencies.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that approximately 3,500 respondents will complete a survey response within approximately 20 minutes.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: There are an estimated 1,167 total annual burden hours associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Ms. Lynn Bryant, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

The Department of Labor (DOL) hereby announces the submission of the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation; including, among other things, a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number)/e-mail: DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Department of Labor—Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-7316/Fax: 202-395-5806 (these are not toll-free numbers), E-mail: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register. In order to ensure the appropriate consideration, comments should reference the OMB Control Number (see below).

The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:

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

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• 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.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Type of Review: Revision and extension of a previously approved collection.

Title of Collection: OSHA Data Initiative (ODI).

OMB Control Number: 1218-0209.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profits and State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 120,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,000.

Estimated Total Annual Costs Burden (excludes hourly wage costs): $0.

Description: To meet the Agency's program needs, OSHA is proposing to continue its initiative to collect injury and illness data and the number of workers and hours worked from establishments in portions of the private sector and some State government agencies. The purpose of the data collection is to compile occupational injury and illness data from employers within specific industries and size categories allowing OSHA to calculate occupational injury and illness rates by employer and specific industry. The agency will require this information from up to 120,000 employers required to create and maintain records pursuant to 29 CFR Part 1904. For additional information, see the related 60-day preclearance notice published in the Federal Register at Vol. 74 FR 45881 on September 4, 2009. PRA documentation prepared in association with the preclearance notice is available on http://www.regulations.gov under docket number OSHA-2009-0029.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, as amended), the National Science Foundation announces the following Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (#13883) meeting:

Date and Time: February 1-2, 2010, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Place: National Science Foundation, Room 595, Stafford II Building, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230.

Type of Meeting: Open.

Contact Person: Dr. Craig Foltz, Acting Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences, Suite 1045, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: 703-292-4909.

Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice and recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on issues within the field of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the agencies.

Agenda: To hear presentations of current programming by representatives from NSF, NASA, DOE and other agencies relevant to astronomy and astrophysics; to discuss current and potential areas of cooperation between the agencies; to formulate recommendations for continued and new areas of cooperation and mechanisms for achieving them.

Notice is hereby given that the Railroad Retirement Board will hold a meeting on January 14, 2010, 9 a.m. at the Board's meeting room on the 8th floor of its headquarters building, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611. The agenda for this meeting follows:

Portion open to the public:

(1) Executive Committee Reports.

Portion closed to the public:

(A) Employer Status Determination—Employee Service Determination—Decision on Remand—Former Police Officers of MTA.

The person to contact for more information is Beatrice Ezerski, Secretary to the Board, Phone No. 312-751-4920.

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for approval of extension of the existing collection of information provided for Rule 17Ad-11 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-11) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (“Exchange Act”).

Rule 17Ad-11 requires all registered transfer agents to report to issuers and the appropriate regulatory agency in the event that aged record differences exceed certain dollar value thresholds. An aged record difference occurs when an issuer's records do not agree with those of securityowners as indicated, for instance, on certificates presented to the transfer agent for purchase, redemption or transfer. In addition, the rule requires transfer agents to report to the appropriate regulatory agency in the event of a failure to post certificate detail to the master securityholder file within 5 business days of the time required by Rule 17Ad-10 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-10). Also, transfer agents must maintain a copy of each report prepared under Rule 17Ad-11 for a period of three years following the date of the report. This recordkeeping requirement assists the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule.

Because the information required by Rule 17Ad-11 is already available to transfer agents, any collection burden for small transfer agents is minimal. Based on a review of the number of Rule 17Ad-11 reports the Commission, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation received since 2006, the Commission estimates that 25 respondents will file a total of approximately 30 reports annually. The Commission estimates that each report can be completed in 30 minutes. Therefore, the total annual hourly burden to the entire transfer agent industry is approximately 15 hours (30 minutes multiplied by 30 reports). Assuming an average hourly rate of a transfer agent staff employee of $25, the average total cost of the report is $12.50. The total cost for the approximate 25 respondents is approximately $750.

The retention period for the recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad-11 is three years following the date of a report prepared pursuant to the rule. The recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad-11 is mandatory to assist the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule. This rule does not involve the collection of confidential information.

Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number.

Comments should be directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or by sending an e-mail to: (i) Shagufta_Ahmed@comb.eop.gov; and (ii) Charles Boucher, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or send an e-mail to PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

Extension: Rule 17i-3, SEC File No. 270-529, OMB Control No. 3235-0593.

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 1 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below. The Code of Federal Regulation citation to this collection of information is the following: 17 CFR 240.17i-3.

Section 231 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 2 (the “GLBA”) amended Section 17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 USC 78a et seq.) (“the Exchange Act”) to create a regulatory framework under which a holding company of a broker-dealer (“investment bank holding company” or “IBHC”) may voluntarily be supervised by the Commission as a supervised investment bank holding company (or “SIBHC”).3 In 2004, the Commission promulgated rules, including Rule 17i-3, to create a framework for the Commission to supervise SIBHCs.4 This framework includes qualification criteria for SIBHCs, as well as recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Among other things, this regulatory framework for SIBHCs is intended to provide a basis for non-U.S. financial regulators to treat the Commission as the principal U.S. consolidated, home-country supervisor for SIBHCs and their affiliated broker-dealers.5

Rule 17i-3 permits an SIBHC to withdraw from Commission supervision by filing a notice of withdrawal with the Commission. The Rule requires that an SIBHC include in its notice of withdrawal a statement that it is in compliance with Rule 17i-2(c) regarding amendments to its Notice of Intention to help to assure that the Commission has updated information when considering the SIBHC's withdrawal request.

The collection of information required by Rule 17i-3 is necessary to enable the Commission to evaluate whether it is necessary and appropriate in the furtherance of Section 17 of the Exchange Act for the Commission to allow an SIBHC to withdraw from supervision. Without this information, the Commission would be unable to make this evaluation.

We estimate, for Paperwork Reduction Act purposes only, that one SIBHC may wish to withdraw from Commission supervision as an SIBHC over a ten-year period. Each SIBHC that withdraws from Commission supervision as an SIBHC will require approximately 24 hours to draft a withdrawal notice and submit it to the Commission. An SIBHC likely would have an attorney perform this task. Further, an SIBHC likely will have a senior attorney or executive officer review the notice of withdrawal before submitting it to the Commission, which will take approximately eight hours. Thus, we estimate that the annual, aggregate burden of withdrawing from Commission supervision as an SIBHC will be approximately 3.2 hours each year.6

The collection of information is mandatory and the information required to be provided to the Commission pursuant to this Rule is deemed confidential pursuant to Section 17(j) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 7 and Section 552(b)(3)(B) of the Freedom of Information Act,8 notwithstanding any other provision of law.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number.

Comments should be directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC, 20503 or by sending an e-mail to: Shagufta_Ahmed@comb.eop.gov; and (ii) Charles Boucher, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or send an e-mail to PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below.

Form N-8B-2 (17 CFR 274.12) is the form used by unit investment trusts (“UITs”) other than separate accounts that are currently issuing securities, including UITs that are issuers of periodic payment plan certificates and UITs of which a management investment company is the sponsor or depositor, to comply with the filing and disclosure requirements imposed by section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8(b)). Form N-8B-2 requires disclosure about the organization of a UIT, its securities, the personnel and affiliated persons of the depositor, the distribution and redemption of securities, the trustee or custodian, and financial statements. The Commission uses the information provided in the collection of information to determine compliance with section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act.

Based on the Commission's industry statistics, the Commission estimates that there would be approximately two initial filings on Form N-8B-2 and 14 post-effective amendment filings to the Form annually. The Commission estimates that each registrant filing an initial Form N-8B-2 would spend 44 hours in preparing and filing the Form and that the total hour burden for all initial Form N-8B-2 filings would be 88 hours. Also, the Commission estimates that each UIT filing a post-effective amendment to Form N-8B-2 would spend 16 hours in preparing and filing the amendment and that the total hour burden for all post-effective amendments to the Form would be 224 hours. By combining the total hour burdens estimated for initial Form N-8B-2 filings and post-effective amendments filings to the Form, the Commission estimates that the total annual burden hours for all registrants on Form N-8B-2 would be 312. Estimates of the burden hours are made solely for the purposes of the PRA, and are not derived from a comprehensive or even a representative survey or study of the costs of SEC rules and forms.

The information provided on Form N-8B-2 is mandatory. The information provided on Form N-8B-2 will not be kept confidential. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Please direct general comments regarding the above information to the following persons: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or send an e-mail to Shagufta Ahmed at Shagufta_Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Charles Boucher, Director/CIO, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312; or send an e-mail to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Public Law 94-409, that the Securities and Exchange Commission will hold an Open Meeting on January 13, 2010 at 10 a.m., in the Auditorium, Room L-002.

The subject matter of the Open Meeting will be:

Item 1: The Commission will consider whether to publish a concept release on equity market structure. The concept release would invite public comment on a wide range of issues, including the performance of equity market structure in recent years, high frequency trading, and undisplayed, or “dark,” liquidity.

Item 2: The Commission will consider whether to propose a new rule regarding risk management controls and supervisory procedures to manage financial, regulatory and other risks for brokers or dealers that provide market access.

At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in the scheduling of meeting items.

For further information and to ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted or postponed, please contact:

The Office of the Secretary at (202) 551-5400.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) 2 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that, on December 31, 2009, New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to delete NYSE Rule 445 and adopt new Rule 3310 to correspond with rule changes filed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and approved by the Commission.4 The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and www.nyse.com.

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 those 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 parts of such statements.

The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to delete NYSE Rule 445 (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program) and adopt new Rule 3310 (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program) to correspond with rule changes filed by FINRA and approved by the Commission.

On July 30, 2007, FINRA's predecessor, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), and NYSE Regulation, Inc. (“NYSER”) consolidated their member firm regulation operations into a combined organization, FINRA. Pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act, NYSE, NYSER and FINRA entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) to reduce regulatory duplication for their members by allocating to FINRA certain regulatory responsibilities for certain NYSE rules and rule interpretations (“FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rules”). NYSE Amex LLC (“NYSE Amex”) became a party to the Agreement effective December 15, 2008.5

As part of its effort to reduce regulatory duplication and relieve firms that are members of FINRA, NYSE and NYSE Amex of conflicting or unnecessary regulatory burdens, FINRA is now engaged in the process of reviewing and amending the NASD and FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rules in order to create a consolidated FINRA rulebook.6

FINRA adopted, subject to certain amendments, NASD Rule 3011 (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program) and related Interpretive Material NASD IM-3011-1 and 3011-2 as consolidated FINRA Rule 3310 (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program), and deleted FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 445 (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program) as duplicative of the new Rule.7

Because it is substantially similar to the provisions of FINRA Rule 3310, FINRA deleted FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 445. In particular, FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 445(1)-(5) are substantially the same as consolidated FINRA Rule 3310(a)-(e). In addition, Supplementary Material .10 and .20 to FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 445 are substantially the same as Supplementary Material .01 to consolidated FINRA Rule 3310. Finally, read together, part (4) and Supplementary Material .30 to FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 445 are substantially the same as Supplementary Material .02 to consolidated FINRA Rule 3310 with respect to the notification of AML compliance person designations.8

To harmonize the NYSE Rules with the approved consolidated FINRA Rules, the Exchange correspondingly proposes to delete NYSE Rule 445 and replace it with proposed NYSE Rule 3310, which is substantially similar to the new FINRA Rule.9 As proposed, NYSE Rule 3310 adopts the same language as FINRA Rule 3310, except for substituting for or adding to, as needed, the term “member organization” for the term “member,” and making corresponding technical changes that reflect the difference between NYSE's and FINRA's membership structures. In addition, in Supplementary Material .02 to proposed Rule 3310, the Exchange added a cross-reference to NYSE Rule 416A to ensure that those Exchange members and member organizations that are not FINRA members are required to update the contact information for anti-money laundering compliance personnel in accordance with NYSE Rules.

Finally, in order to ensure that both proposed NYSE Rule 3310 and FINRA Rule 3310 are fully harmonized, the Exchange also proposes to add Supplementary Material .03 to NYSE Rule 3310 to provide that, for the purposes of the rule, the term “associated person of the member or member organization” shall have the same meaning as the terms “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” as defined in Article I (rr) of the FINRA By-Laws.

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,10 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,11 in particular, because it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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 Exchange believes that the proposed rule change supports the objectives of the Act by providing greater harmonization between NYSE Rules and FINRA Rules (including Common Rules) of similar purpose, resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance for Dual Members. To the extent the Exchange's proposal differs from FINRA's version of the Rules, such differences are technical in nature and do not change the substance of the proposed NYSE Rules.

The Exchange 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.

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 12 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.13 Because the 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) becomes operative prior to 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 the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 14 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),15 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission notes that the proposed rule change is substantially identical to a rule change proposed by FINRA and approved by the Commission after an opportunity for public comment, and does not raise any new substantive issues.16 For these reasons, the Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it will promote greater harmonization between NYSE Rules and FINRA Rules of similar purpose, resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance for joint members and greater harmonization between NYSE Rules and FINRA Rules. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposed rule change effective and operative upon filing.17

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-NYSE-2009-134 on the subject line.

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 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 1934,1 notice is hereby given that on December 14, 2009, The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared primarily by OCC. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The proposed rule change would clarify that the term “fund share” includes any option or any futures contracts on ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares and ETFS Physical Silver Shares.

In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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 self-regulatory organization has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to clarify the jurisdictional status of options or security futures on ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares or ETFS Physical Silver Shares. OCC proposes to amend the interpretation following the definition of “fund share” in Article I, Section 1, of OCC's By-Laws.2 Under this proposed rule change, OCC would (i) clear and treat as securities options any option contracts on ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares and ETFS Physical Silver Shares that are traded on securities exchanges and (ii) clear and treat as security futures any futures contracts on ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares and ETFS Physical Silver Shares.

In its capacity as a “derivatives clearing organization” registered as such with the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), OCC is filing this proposed rule change for prior approval by the CFTC pursuant to provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) in order to foreclose any potential liability under the CEA based on an argument that OCC's clearing of such options as securities options or the clearing of such futures as security futures constitutes a violation of the CEA. The products for which approval is requested are essentially the same as the options and security futures on SPDR Gold Shares, iShares COMEX Gold Shares, and iShares Silver Shares that OCC currently clears pursuant to the rule changes referred to above and exemptions issued by the CFTC. 3 OCC believes that this filing raises no new regulatory or policy issues.

OCC believes that the proposed interpretation of OCC's By-Laws is consistent with the purposes and requirements of Section 17A of the Act 4 because it is designed to promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of transactions in securities options and security futures, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in the clearance and settlement of such transactions, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a national system for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of such transactions, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. It accomplishes these purposes by reducing the likelihood of a dispute as to the Commission's jurisdiction or shared jurisdiction in the case of security futures over derivatives based on ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares or ETFS Physical Silver Shares. OCC also states that the proposed rule change is not inconsistent with OCC's By-Laws and Rules.

OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition.

Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed rule change and none have been received.

Within thirty-five 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 ninety 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 self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:

(A) by order approve the 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 No. SR-OCC-2009-20 on the subject line.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on December 24, 2009, NYSE Amex LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Amex”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8)(a)(1) to extend the operation of the pilot to temporarily suspend certain NYSE Amex Equities Rule requirements relating to the closing of securities on the Exchange until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission approval to make such pilot permanent or March 1, 2010. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8)(a)(1) allows the Exchange to temporarily suspend certain rule requirements at the close when extreme order imbalances may cause significant dislocation to the closing price. The rule has operated on a pilot basis since April 2009 (“Extreme Order Imbalances Pilot” or “Pilot”).3 Through this filing, NYSE Amex proposes to extend the Pilot until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission approval to make such Pilot permanent or March 1, 2010.4

Pursuant to NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8)(a)(1), the Exchange may suspend NYSE Amex Equities Rules 52 (Hours of Operation) to resolve an extreme order imbalance that may result in a closing price dislocation at the close as a result of an order entered into Exchange systems, or represented to a DMM orally at or near the close. The provisions of NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8)(a)(1) operate as the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot.

As a condition of the approval to operate the Pilot, the Exchange committed to provide the Commission with information regarding: (i) How often a Rule 52 temporary suspension pursuant to the Pilot was invoked during the six months following its approval; and (ii) the Exchange's determination as to how to proceed with technical modifications to reconfigure Exchange systems to accept orders electronically after 4 p.m.

The Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot is scheduled to end operation on December 31, 2009.5 The Exchange is currently preparing a rule filing seeking permission to make the provisions of the Pilot permanent with certain modifications but does not expect that filing to be completed and approved by the Commission before December 31, 2009.

The Exchange established the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot to create a mechanism for ensuring a fair and orderly close when interest is received at or near the close that could negatively affect the closing transaction. The Exchange believes that this tool has proved very useful to resolve an extreme order imbalance that may result in a closing price dislocation at the close as a result of an order entered into Exchange systems, or represented to a DMM orally at or near the close.

As the Exchange has previously stated, NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8) will be invoked to attract offsetting interest in rare circumstances where there exists an extreme imbalance at the close such that a DMM is unable to close the security without significantly dislocating the price. This is evidenced by the fact that during the course of the Pilot, the Exchange invoked the provisions of NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8), including the provisions of the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot pursuant to NYSE Amex Equities Rule 123C(8)(a)(1), in only two securities on June 26, 2009, the date of the annual rebalancing of Russell Indexes.

In addition, during the operation of the Pilot, the Exchange determined that it would not be as onerous, as previously believed, to modify Exchange systems to accept orders electronically after 4 p.m. The Exchange anticipates that such system modifications could [sic] be completed by December 31, 2009.

Given the above, the Exchange believes that provisions governing the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot should be made permanent. Through this filing the Exchange seeks to extend the current operation of the Pilot in order to allow the Exchange to formally submit a filing to the Commission to convert the provisions governing the Pilot to permanent rules and complete the technological modifications required to accept orders electronically after 4 p.m. The Exchange therefore requests an extension from the current expiration date of December 31, 2009, until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission approval to make such Pilot permanent or March 1, 2010.

The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(5) 6 that an Exchange have rules that are designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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 Exchange believes that the instant filing is consistent with these principles. Specifically an extension will allow the Exchange to: (i) Prepare and submit a filing to make the provisions governing the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot permanent; (ii) have such filing complete the public notice and comment period; and (iii) complete the 19b-4 approval process. The rule operates to protect investors and the public interest by ensuring that the closing price at the Exchange is not significantly dislocated from the last sale price by virtue of an extreme order imbalance at or near the close.

The Exchange 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.

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 7 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.8 Because the 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 prior to 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 the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing.9 However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay, as specified in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),10 which would make the rule change operative immediately. The Exchange believes that continuation of the Pilot does not burden competition and would operate to protect investors and the public interest by ensuring that the closing price at the Exchange is not significantly dislocated from the last sale price by virtue of an extreme order imbalance at or near the close.

The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it would allow the Pilot to continue without interruption while the Exchange works towards submitting a separate proposal to make the Pilot permanent. Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the Commission.11

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.12

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-NYSEAmex-2009-96 on the subject line.

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2009-96. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission,13 all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2009-96 and should be submitted on or before January 29, 2010.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on December 22, 2009, NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot period of the Exchange's prior approvals to receive inbound routes of equities orders from Archipelago Securities LLC (“Arca Securities”), an NYSE Arca affiliated ETP Holder. A copy of this filing is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.nyse.com, at the Exchange's principal office and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

Currently, Arca Securities is the approved outbound order routing facility of the Exchange.3 Arca Securities is also the approved outbound order routing facility of the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”) and NYSE Amex LLC (“NYSE Amex”).4 The Exchange, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NYSE Arca Equities, Inc., has also been previously approved to receive inbound routes of equities orders by Arca Securities in its capacity as an order routing facility of NYSE Amex and the NYSE.5 The Exchange's authority to receive inbound routes of equities orders by Arca Securities is subject to a pilot period ending December 31, 2009.6 The Exchange hereby seeks to extend the previously approved pilot period (with the attendant obligations and conditions) for an additional 3 months, through March 31, 2010.

The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 8 in particular in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. Specifically, the proposed rule change will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from Arca Securities acting in its capacity as a facility of the NYSE and NYSE Amex, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections. The Exchange believes that extending the previously approved pilot period for three months will permit both the Exchange and the Commission to further assess the impact of the Exchange's authority to receive direct inbound routes of equities orders via Arca Securities (including the attendant obligations and conditions).9

The Exchange 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.

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

Because the foregoing rule change does not: (1) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.11

A proposed rule change filed under 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.12 However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 13 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange notes that the proposal will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from Arca Securities, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections, while also permitting the Exchange and the Commission to assess the impact of the pilot.14 The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver would allow the pilot period to be extended without interruption through March 31, 2010. For this reason, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.15

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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-NYSEArca-2009-115 on the subject line.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on December 22, 2009, NYSE Amex LLC (“NYSE Amex” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot period of the Exchange's prior approvals to receive inbound routes of orders from Archipelago Securities LLC (“Arca Securities”), an NYSE Amex affiliated member. A copy of this filing is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.nyse.com, at the Exchange's principal office and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

Currently, Arca Securities is the approved outbound order routing facility of the Exchange.3 Arca Securities is also the approved outbound order routing facility of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”).4 The Exchange has also been previously approved to receive inbound routes of orders by Arca Securities in its capacity as an order routing facility of NYSE Arca and the NYSE.5 The Exchange's authority to receive inbound routes of orders by Arca Securities is subject to a pilot period ending December 31, 2009.6 The Exchange hereby seeks to extend the previously approved pilot period (with the attendant obligations and conditions) for an additional 3 months, through March 31, 2010.

The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 8 in particular in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. Specifically, the proposed rule change will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from Arca Securities acting in its capacity as a facility of the NYSE and NYSE Arca, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections. The Exchange believes that extending the previously approved pilot period for three months will permit both the Exchange and the Commission to further assess the impact of the Exchange's authority to receive direct inbound routes of equities orders via Arca Securities (including the attendant obligations and conditions).9

The Exchange 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.

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

Because the foregoing rule change does not: (1) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.11

A proposed rule change filed under 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.12 However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 13 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange notes that the proposal will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from Arca Securities, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections, while also permitting the Exchange and the Commission to assess the impact of the pilot.14 The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver would allow the pilot period to be extended without interruption through March 31, 2010. For this reason, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.15

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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-NYSEAmex-2009-91 on the subject line.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) 2 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on December 31, 2009, NYSE Amex LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Amex”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to delete Rule 445—NYSE Amex Equities and adopt new Rule 3310—NYSE Amex Equities to correspond with rule changes filed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and approved by the Commission.4 The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com.

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 those 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 parts of such statements.

The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to delete Rule 445—NYSE Amex Equities (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program) and adopt new Rule 3310—NYSE Amex Equities (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program) to correspond with rule changes filed by FINRA and approved by the Commission.

On July 30, 2007, FINRA's predecessor, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), and NYSE Regulation, Inc. (“NYSER”) consolidated their member firm regulation operations into a combined organization, FINRA. Pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”), NYSER and FINRA entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) to reduce regulatory duplication for their members by allocating to FINRA certain regulatory responsibilities for certain NYSE rules and rule interpretations (“FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rules”). The Exchange became a party to the Agreement effective December 15, 2008.5

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 24, 2009, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the “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 by the self-regulatory organization. The 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 the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to amend Chapter V, Section 6 (Minimum Trading Increments) of the Rules of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC (“BOX”). The text of the proposed rule change is available from the principal office of the Exchange, on the Exchange's Internet Web site at http://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQOMXBX/Filings/, at the Commission's Public Reference Room, and also on the Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 self-regulatory organization has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

On October 19, 2009 the Exchange submitted a proposed rule change to amend Chapter V, Section 33 (Penny Pilot Program) of the BOX Rules to (i) extend the Penny Pilot Program in options classes (“Penny Pilot Program” or “Pilot”) previously approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) through December 31, 2010; (ii) expand the number of classes included in the Pilot; and (iii) replace on a semi-annual basis any Pilot Program classes that have been delisted.5

The Exchange now proposes to designate two Penny Pilot Program classes as eligible to quote and trade all options contracts in one cent increments, regardless of premium value. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to so designate SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund). In selecting these classes the Exchange considered, among other things, that these symbols are (a) among the most actively traded classes nationally, with a wide array of investor interest, (b) have more series trading at a premium between $3 and $10, and (c) are trading at prices that are neither extremely low nor high, but are generally trading between $15-$50. The Exchange believes that classes that meet these criteria benefit the most from the ability to quote and trade all options series in penny increments.

This proposal is based on a recent Commission-approved proposal of the NYSEArca exchange.6 The Exchange proposes to designate SPY and IWM as eligible to quote and trade all options contracts in one cent increments as of February 1, 2010. This date corresponds with the second phase-in date for additional classes in the Penny Pilot Program.

The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,7 in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,8 in particular, in that it is designed 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 for a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. In particular, the Exchange believes that allowing market participants to quote in smaller increments reduces spreads, thereby lowering costs to investors.

The Exchange 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 has neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change.

This proposed rule change is filed pursuant to paragraph (A) of section 19(b)(3) of the Exchange Act 9 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder 10 and 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 the public interest.

The Commission recently granted approval for a similar filing proposed by the NYSEArca.11 The Exchange believes that this proposed rule change, which is essential for competitive purposes and to promote a free and open market for the benefit of investors, does not raise any new, unique or substantive issues from those raised in the approved NYSEArca proposal.

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-BX-2009-086 on the subject line.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on December 23, 2009, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “BX”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by BX. BX has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a non-controversial rule change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,3 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

BX submits this proposed rule change to extend the pilot period of BX's prior approval to receive inbound routes of equities orders from Nasdaq Execution Services, LLC (“NES”) through March 23, 2010.

In its filing with the Commission, BX 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. BX has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

Currently, NES is the approved outbound routing facility of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) for cash equities, providing outbound routing from NASDAQ to other market centers.4 BX also has been previously approved to receive inbound routes of equities orders by NES in its capacity as an order routing facility of NASDAQ.5 The Exchange's authority to receive inbound routes of equities orders by NES is subject to a pilot period ending December 23, 2009. The Exchange hereby seeks to extend the previously approved pilot period (with the attendant obligations and conditions) for an additional 3 months, through March 23, 2010.

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,6 in general, and with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,7 in particular, in that the proposal 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. Specifically, the proposed rule change will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from NES acting in its capacity as a facility of Nasdaq, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections. The Exchange believes that extending the previously approved pilot period for three months is of sufficient length to permit both the Exchange and the Commission to assess the impact of the Exchange's authority to receive direct inbound routes of equities orders via NES (including the attendant obligations and conditions).

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

No written comments were either solicited or received.

Because the foregoing rule change does not: (1) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 8 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.9

A proposed rule change filed under 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.10 However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 11 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. BX has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. BX notes that the proposal will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from NES, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections, while also permitting the Exchange and the Commission to assess the impact of the pilot.12 The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver would allow the pilot period to be extended without interruption through March 23, 2010. For this reason, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.13

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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-BX-2009-085 on the subject line.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on December 22, 2009, New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot period of the Exchange's prior approvals to receive inbound routes of certain equities orders from Archipelago Securities LLC (“Arca Securities”), an NYSE affiliated member. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

Currently, Arca Securities is the approved outbound order routing facility of the Exchange.3 Arca Securities is also the approved outbound order routing facility of NYSE Arca and NYSE Amex LLC (“NYSE Amex”).4 The Exchange has also been previously approved to receive inbound routes of equities orders by Arca Securities in its capacity as an order routing facility of NYSE Arca and NYSE Amex.5 The Exchange's authority to receive inbound routes of equities orders by Arca Securities is subject to a pilot period ending December 31, 2009.6 The Exchange hereby seeks to extend the previously approved pilot period (with the attendant obligations and conditions) for an additional 3 months, through March 31, 2010.

The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 8 in particular in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. Specifically, the proposed rule change will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from Arca Securities acting in its capacity as a facility of the NYSE Arca and NYSE Amex, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections. The Exchange believes that extending the previously approved pilot period for three months will permit both the Exchange and the Commission to further assess the impact of the Exchange's authority to receive direct inbound routes of equities orders via Arca Securities (including the attendant obligations and conditions).9

The Exchange 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.

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

Because the foregoing rule change does not: (1) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.11

A proposed rule change filed under 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.12 However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 13 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange notes that the proposal will allow the Exchange to continue receiving inbound routes of equities orders from Arca Securities, in a manner consistent with prior approvals and established protections, while also permitting the Exchange and the Commission to assess the impact of the pilot.14 The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver would allow the pilot period to be extended without interruption through March 31, 2010. For this reason, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.15

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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-NYSE-2009-128 on the subject line.

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 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 (the “Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on December 24, 2009, New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Rule 123C(8)(a)(1) to extend the operation of the pilot to temporarily suspend certain NYSE requirements relating to the closing of securities on the Exchange until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission approval to make such pilot permanent or March 1, 2010. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com.

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

NYSE Rule 123C(8)(a)(1) allows the Exchange to temporarily suspend certain rule requirements at the close when extreme order imbalances may cause significant dislocation to the closing price. The rule has operated on a pilot basis since April 2009 (“Extreme Order Imbalances Pilot” or “Pilot”).3 Through this filing, NYSE proposes to extend the Pilot until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission approval to make such Pilot permanent or March 1, 2010.4

Pursuant to NYSE Rule 123C(8)(a)(1), the Exchange may suspend NYSE Rules 52 (Hours of Operation) to resolve an extreme order imbalance that may result in a closing price dislocation at the close as a result of an order entered into Exchange systems, or represented to a DMM orally at or near the close. The provisions of NYSE Rule 123C(8)(a)(1) operate as the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot.

As a condition of the approval to operate the Pilot, the Exchange committed to provide the Commission with information regarding: (i) How often a Rule 52 temporary suspension pursuant to the Pilot was invoked during the six months following its approval; and (ii) the Exchange's determination as to how to proceed with technical modifications to reconfigure Exchange systems to accept orders electronically after 4 p.m.

The Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot is scheduled to end operation on December 31, 2009.5 The Exchange is currently preparing a rule filing seeking permission to make the provisions of the Pilot permanent with certain modifications but does not expect that filing to be completed and approved by the Commission before December 31, 2009.

The Exchange established the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot to create a mechanism for ensuring a fair and orderly close when interest is received at or near the close that could negatively affect the closing transaction. The Exchange believes that this tool has proved very useful to resolve an extreme order imbalance that may result in a closing price dislocation at the close as a result of an order entered into Exchange systems, or represented to a DMM orally at or near the close.

As the Exchange has previously stated, NYSE Rule 123C(8) will be invoked to attract offsetting interest in rare circumstances where there exists an extreme imbalance at the close such that a DMM is unable to close the security without significantly dislocating the price. This is evidenced by the fact that during the course of the Pilot, the Exchange invoked the provisions of NYSE Rule 123C(8), including the provisions of the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot pursuant to NYSE Rule 123C(8)(a)(1), in only one security on August 31, 2009.

In addition, during the operation of the Pilot, the Exchange determined that it would not be as onerous as previously believed to modify Exchange systems to accept orders electronically after 4:00 p.m. The Exchange anticipates that such system modifications could [sic] be completed by December 31, 2009.

Given the above, the Exchange believes that provisions governing the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot should be made permanent. Through this filing the Exchange seeks to extend the current operation of the Pilot in order to allow the Exchange to formally submit a filing to the Commission to convert the provisions governing the Pilot to permanent rules and complete the technological modifications required to accept orders electronically after 4:00 p.m. The Exchange therefore requests an extension from the current expiration date of December 31, 2009, until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission approval to make such Pilot permanent or March 1, 2010.

The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(5) 6 that an Exchange have rules that are designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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 Exchange believes that the instant filing is consistent with these principles. Specifically an extension will allow the Exchange to: (i) Prepare and submit a filing to make the provisions governing the Extreme Order Imbalance Pilot permanent; (ii) have such filing complete public notice and comment period; and (iii) complete the 19b-4 approval process. The rule operates to protect investors and the public interest by ensuring that the closing price at the Exchange is not significantly dislocated from the last sale price by virtue of an extreme order imbalance at or near the close.

The Exchange 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.

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 7 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.8 Because the 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 prior to 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 the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing.9 However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay, as specified in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),10 which would make the rule change operative immediately. The Exchange believes that continuation of the Pilot does not burden competition and would operate to protect investors and the public interest by ensuring that the closing price at the Exchange is not significantly dislocated from the last sale price by virtue of an extreme order imbalance at or near the close.

The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it would allow the Pilot to continue without interruption while the Exchange works towards submitting a separate proposal to make the Pilot permanent. Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the Commission.11

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.12

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-NYSE-2009-131 on the subject line.

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