[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45176-45177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22523]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 26, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 45176]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1728


Electric Overhead Distribution Lines; Specifications and Drawings 
for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to revise its 
bulletin of specifications and drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV overhead 
distribution line construction. RUS proposes to separate the bulletin 
into 19 sections. Each section would contain an index, construction 
specifications and a group of similar drawings of construction 
assemblies which perform a common function. RUS proposes to change the 
drawing number on each drawing to conform to a new, functional format. 
RUS also proposes certain additional technical changes to the 154 
drawings so that construction assemblies would conform to current RUS 
construction requirements and specifications which would make the 
drawings more readable. Where applicable, the drawings would show 
allowable loading limits and reference to new tables which would show 
maximum line angles. Existing specifications, such as pole setting 
depths, would not be modified, however, they would be moved to the 
section that contains wood poles. RUS proposes to renumber and reformat 
this bulletin in accordance with its new publications and directives 
system.

DATES: Written comments must be received by RUS by October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Mr. George J. Bagnall, Director, 
Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1569, Washington, DC 
20250-1569. RUS requires a signed original and three copies of all 
comments (7 CFR 1700.30(e)). Comments will be available for public 
inspection during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James L. Bohlk, Electrical 
Engineer, Distribution Branch, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. Telephone: (202) 720-1967. Fax: 
(202) 720-7491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This rule was waived from Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
review.

Executive Order 12372

    This proposed rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation 
with State and local officials. A Notice of Final Rule entitled 
Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372 
(50 FR 47034) exempts RUS loans and loan guarantees from coverage under 
this order.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. RUS has determined that this proposed rule meets 
the applicable standards provided in Sec. 3. of the Executive Order.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Administrator of RUS has determined that a rule relating to the 
RUS electric loan program is not a rule as defined in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and therefore, the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act does not apply to this proposed rule.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    This proposed rule contains no reporting or recordkeeping 
provisions requiring Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as 
amended).

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

    The Administrator of RUS has determined that this rule will not 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment as defined by 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
Therefore, this action does not require an environmental impact 
statement or assessment.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    This program described by this proposed rule is listed in the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.850, Rural 
Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees. This catalog is available on 
a subscription basis from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.

Background

    Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 as amended (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to 
amend 7 CFR Chapter XVII, Part 1728, Electric Standards and 
Specification for Materials and Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin 
50-5 (D-803), Specification and Drawings for 14.4/24.9 kV Line 
Construction, and renumbering it as RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. RUS 
maintains a system of bulletins that contains construction standards 
and specifications for materials and equipment. These standards and 
specifications apply to system facilities constructed by RUS electric 
and telecommunications borrowers in accordance with the RUS loan 
contract, and contain standard construction units, material and 
equipment units commonly used in RUS electric and telecommunication 
borrowers' systems.
    RUS Bulletin 50-5 provides dimensioned drawings of standard 
assembly units and specifications for the construction of 24.9/14.4 kV 
overhead electric distribution lines. RUS proposes to change the 
bulletin number from RUS Bulletin 50-5 to RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. The 
change in the bulletin number and reformatting is necessary to conform 
to RUS' new publications and directives system. This bulletin will be 
incorporated by reference in 7 CFR part 1728.97. It may be purchased 
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, DC 20402-9325.
    The major proposed changes are described below.
    The proposed bulletin has been separated into 19 different sections 
or categories. Each section generally contains construction 
specifications

[[Page 45177]]

related to the category, an index of drawings in the section and 
several similar construction drawings of assemblies which are designed 
to perform a similar function. The proposed bulletin also contains an 
overall index and general construction specifications. Also added to 
the proposed bulletin are additional new tables displaying maximum line 
angles and soil classifications.
    The drawing numbers on all the proposed modified drawings have been 
slightly changed. The drawing number on each new and modified drawing 
is in a new, uniform format based on the original RUS numbering scheme 
and format in which each character in the number has a functional 
meaning related to the contents of the drawings.
    Approximately 63 construction drawings in previous bulletin 50-5 
have been deleted in the proposed bulletin. Each drawing was eliminated 
for one or more of the following reasons:
    (a) There is a conflict in the permissible line angles between the 
primary conductor supports and the neutral conductor supports;
    (b) The assembly contains material no longer listed in Information 
Publication 202-1, ``List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of 
RUS Electrification Borrowers'';
    (c) The assembly or assemblies have been renumbered and reorganized 
and included in the proposed bulletin as a new drawing;
    (d) The assembly design is no longer acceptable as a RUS 
construction standard for mechanical strength or clearance reasons;
    (e) The drawing is redundant of another similar drawing and thus 
not needed or useful;
    (f) The assembly design is no longer preferred or commonly used; 
or,
    (g) The drawing contains construction instructions or details which 
are no longer applicable to RUS construction standards.
    Corrections or modifications are being proposed to approximately 89 
drawings of the bulletin. Each revised drawing contains one or more of 
the following changes:
    (a) Each drawing was given a new, shorter, simpler and more uniform 
drawing title or name;
    (b) The primary system voltage of ``24.9/14.4 kV'' and the number 
of primary phases were drawn in a uniform place in the title block on 
each drawing where this information is relevant;
    (c) The number (quantity) of locknuts is shown in the material list 
of all the drawings that have these items;
    (d) The revised drawings specify that crossarms be generally 
installed one foot, six inches from the top of the pole to utilize the 
new predrilled hole arrangement in the new RUS standard pole drilling 
guide;
    (e) The new drawings depict the use of three, more modern, 4\1/4\ 
inch primary suspension insulators for primary conductors instead of 2-
6 inch insulators as shown on the previous drawings;
    (f) New technical information, defined as ``design parameters'' 
would be added to the title blocks on most of the drawings. These 
design parameters include maximum line angels (referenced to the new 
tables), maximum longitudinal, transverse or unbalanced loads, maximum 
working load or maximum holding power. This new technical information 
defines and usually limits the physical applications of the assembly 
units shown on the drawings; and,
    (g) Several of the revised drawings contain new advisory notes, 
technical information and references to other drawings.
    Approximately 87 new drawings are being proposed. Many of these 
proposed new drawings are of construction assemblies from the previous 
bulletin that have been modified as appropriate, renumbered and 
reorganized. Other new drawings were added to exhibit one or more of 
the following:
    (a) The application of post-type insulators;
    (b) Construction guides and design details;
    (c) New equipment and new design; and
    (d) Details of subassembly units.
    A few new drawings would be added to replace, with modifications as 
required, needed drawings or assemblies which were deleted from the 
previous bulletin for the reasons previously given.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1728

    Electric power, Incorporation by reference, Loan programs--energy, 
Rural areas.

    For reasons set out in the preamble, RUS proposes to amend 7 CFR 
part 1728 as follows:

PART 1728--ELECTRIC STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND 
CONSTRUCTION

    1. The authority citation for part 1728 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.; Pub L. 
103-354, 108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

    2. Section 1728.97(b) is amended by removing the entry for Bulletin 
50-5 and adding to the list of bulletins, in numerical order, the entry 
for Bulletin 1728F-803, to read as follows:


Sec. 1728.97  Incorporation by reference of electric standards and 
specifications.

* * * * *
    (b) List of Bulletins.
* * * * *
    Bulletin 1728F-803, Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV 
Line Construction ([Month and year of effective date of final rule])
* * * * *
    Dated: August 18, 1997.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 97-22523 Filed 8-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P