[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 24995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11995]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1710 and 1714


Prioritizing the Queue for Hardship Rate and Municipal Rate Loans 
to Electric Borrowers

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, Agriculture.

ACTION: Extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On April 8, 1998, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published 
in the Federal Register an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for 
Prioritizing the Queue for Hardship Rate and Municipal Rate Loans to 
Electric Borrowers. RUS wishes to extend the comment period for this 
proposed rule.
    The RUS makes hardship rate and municipal rate loans to electric 
borrowers who meet certain statutory requirements. All applicants from 
borrowers for these loans are usually considered for approval on a 
first-come first-served basis. RUS now has a significant shortfall 
between the total dollar amount of qualified applicants and loan 
authority for both hardship rate and municipal rate loans. This 
shortfall has resulted in long waits in the queues for loan approval. 
RUS is considering making changes to its administrative procedures to 
prioritize the applications for hardship rate and municipal rate loans, 
separately, in order to offer these loans to borrowers in greater need 
of assistance before offering them to other borrowers in the loan 
queues.
DATES: The date by which written comments must arrive at the address 
given below is extended from May 8, 1998, to June 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Stop 1522, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-1522. RUS requires, in hard copy, a 
signed original and 3 copies of all comments (7 CFR 1700.4(e)). 
Comments will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alex M. Cockey, Jr., Deputy Assistant 
Administrator-Electric Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Utilities Service, Stop 1560, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, D.C. 20250-1560. Telephone: 202-720-9545. FAX: 202-690-
0717.
Blaine C. Stockton,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 98-11995 Filed 5-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P