[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72102-72104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34493]


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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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is revising its bulletin of 
specifications and drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV overhead distribution line 
construction. RUS is separating the bulletin into 19 sections. Each 
section contains an index, construction specifications, and a group of 
similar drawings of construction assemblies, which perform a common 
function. RUS is changing the drawing number on each drawing to conform 
to a new, functional format. RUS is also making certain technical 
changes to the drawings so that construction assemblies conform to 
current RUS construction requirements and specifications. Where 
applicable, the drawings show allowable loading limits and reference to 
new tables, which show maximum line angles. Existing specifications, 
such as pole setting depths, are not being modified, however, they are 
being moved to the section that contains wood poles. RUS is renumbering 
and reformatting this bulletin in accordance with its new publications 
and directives system.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 1999. The incorporation by reference of the 
publication listed in the role is approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register February 1, 1999.

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 has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Executive Order 12372

    This 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 to governmental and non-
governmental entities from coverage under this order.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. RUS has determined that this rule meets the applicable 
standards provided in Sec. 3. of the Executive Order. In addition, all 
state and local laws and regulations that are in conflict

[[Page 72103]]

with this rule will be preempted, no retroactive effort will be given 
to this rule, and in accordance with Sec. 212(c) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6912(c)), appeal 
procedures must be exhausted before an action against the Department or 
its agencies may be initiated.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Administrator of RUS has determined that a rule will not have 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities defined in 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and therefore, 
the Regulatory Flexibility act does not apply to this rule.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    This 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

    The program described by this 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.

Unfunded Mandates

    This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
provision of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act) for State, 
local, and tribal governments or the private sector. Thus, this rule is 
not subject to the requirements of section 202 and 205 of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

Background

    Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 as amended (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is amending 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 is changing 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 is incorporated 
by reference in 7 CFR part 1728.97. It may be purchased from the 
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 
15250-7954.
    The major changes in the bulletin are described below.
    The bulletin has been separated into 19 different sections or 
categories. Each section generally contains construction specifications 
related to the category, an index of drawings in the section and 
several similar construction drawings of assemblies that are designed 
to perform a similar function. The revised bulletin also contains an 
overall index and general construction specifications. Also added to 
the bulletin are additional new tables displaying maximum line angles 
and soil classifications.
    The drawing numbers on all the 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 64 of the 154 construction drawings in previous 
bulletin 50-5 have been deleted in the revised 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 is comprised of materials no longer contained 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 revised 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 that 
are no longer applicable to RUS construction standards.
    Corrections or modifications were made to the approximately 90 
remaining 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 1 foot, 6 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 4\1/4\-inch primary deadend 
insulators instead of 6-inch deadend insulators as shown on the 
previous drawings;
    (f) New technical information, defined as ``design parameters'' was 
added to the title blocks on most of the drawings. These design 
parameters include maximum line angles (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.
    There are approximately 84 new drawings. Many of these new drawings 
are of construction assemblies from the

[[Page 72104]]

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 were added to replace, with modifications as 
required, needed drawings or assemblies that were deleted from the 
previous bulletin for the reasons previously given.

Comments

    On August 26, 1997, RUS published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register, Vol. 62, No. 165. Comments were received from two parties.
    The first party, a distribution borrower of RUS, made three 
comments. The first comment pointed out a minor technical error on one 
of the drawings that RUS subsequently corrected. The second comment 
pointed out the absence of platforms for large transformer banks which 
is not a RUS standard and has not been a standard for over 30 years. 
The final comment regarded a preference size of conduit on a service 
entrance drawing. Since this third comment refers to a guide drawing 
and not a RUS specification, no changes are necessary to accommodate 
the preference of the commenter.
    The second set of approximately 30 comments was received from a 
consulting engineering firm. Four comments were general in nature 
regarding the National Electrical Safety Code, the size of the openings 
on clevises, crossarm loading and grounding assemblies. No response for 
the above comments were called for nor needed.
    The commenter pointed out minor technical, drafting, or 
typographical errors or improvements on several drawings. As a result 
of these comments the following 21 drawings were corrected:


VA4.1                     VD2.91L                   E3.1
VB4.1                     VD4.1                     E4.1L
VC1.41L                   VD4.1L                    F1.XX
VC2.52L                   E1.1                      F2.XX
VC4.1                     E1.01                     F3.XX
VC4.2L                    E2.1                      F6.6
VC5.11G                   E2.3G                     VQ.41
 

    Based on the comments given, drawing M2.1G was eliminated.
    This commenter suggested the addition of notes on several drawings, 
where relevant, regarding maximum transverse loading for conductors, 
clearances from poles of conductors on swing angles, separation of 
conductors on double-circuit assemblies, helix sizes, torques and 
depths on anchor drawings, right-of-way clearing details, and lead 
lengths on surge arresters. The commenter also suggested the addition 
of logs anchors, elimination of rock anchors, replacement of swamp 
anchors, and minor design changes on certain oil circuit recloser, 
auto-transformer and switch drawings. Each of the above comments was 
thoroughly reviewed and considered. RUS determined that each of the 
suggestions immediately above, which describe the commenter's 
construction preferences on some assembly units, are technically 
correct. Likewise, the RUS version of the assemblies is technically 
sound. In the interest of staying consistent with previous RUS standard 
assembly units, RUS did not change any of these drawings as suggested.
    The commenter also suggested that drawing VD6.91 was technically 
wrong, that ``silts'' should be eliminated from some soil 
classifications in Table F, and that the ground connections on two of 
the transformer/meter connection schematics was incorrect. RUS reviewed 
these comments very carefully and determined that the RUS drawings are 
correct and that the comments were incorrect. Thus, no changes were 
made to these drawings.

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 is amending 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.; 1921 et seq.; 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 (October 1998).
* * * * *

    Dated: December 18, 1998.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 98-34493 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P