[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 103 (Friday, May 26, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34042-34047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13293]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1728


Specifications and Drawings for Underground Electric Distribution

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is revising its regulations 
on Specifications and Drawings for Underground Electric Distribution, 
RUS Bulletin 50-6. This bulletin is currently incorporated by reference 
in RUS regulations and, will continue to be incorporated by reference. 
This revision is necessary to provide RUS electric borrowers with the 
latest specifications for constructing their rural underground electric 
distribution systems using state-of-art materials, equipment, and 
construction methods. RUS is renumbering and reformating the revised 
bulletin in accordance with the agency's new publications and 
directives system.

DATES: Effective Date: June 26, 2000.
    Incorporation by Reference: IBR approved by the Director, Office of 
the Federal Register, June 26, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Trung V. Hiu, Electrical Engineer, 
Distribution Branch, Electric Staff

[[Page 34043]]

Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. 
Telephone: (202) 720-1877. 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 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. See the final rule related notice entitled 
``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 
12372'' (50 FR 47034).

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 section 3 of the Executive Order. In accordance 
with the Executive Order and the rule: (1) All State and local laws and 
regulations that are in conflict with this rule will be preempted; (2) 
no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) in accordance 
with Sec. 212(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912(e)), administrative appeal procedures, if any, are 
required, must be exhausted prior to initiating litigation against the 
Department or its agencies.

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 rule. RUS borrowers, as a result 
of obtaining Federal financing, receive economic benefits that exceed 
any direct economic costs associated with complying with RUS 
regulations and requirements.

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).

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. Telephone: (202) 
512-1800.

Unfunded Mandates

    This final rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
provision of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995) 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 of 1995.

Background

    Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (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 50-6 (D-806), Specification and 
Drawings for Underground Electric Distribution. This revised bulletin 
is renumbered as RUS Bulletin 1728F-806. RUS maintains a system of 
bulletins that contains construction standards and specifications for 
materials and equipment which must be complied with when system 
facilities are constructed by RUS electric and telecommunications 
borrowers in accordance with the RUS loan contract. These standards and 
specifications contain standard construction units, material, and 
equipment units commonly used in RUS electric and telecommunications 
borrowers' systems.
    RUS Bulletin 50-6 provides standard underground electric 
distribution construction drawings and specifications of 12.5/7.2 kV 
and 24.9/14.4 kV underground electric distribution lines. RUS is 
changing the bulletin number from RUS Bulletin 50-6 to RUS Bulletin 
1728F-806. The change in the bulletin number and reformatting is 
necessary to conform to RUS new publications and directives system. 
This rule incorporates the bulletin by reference in 7 CFR part 1728.97.
    Major changes in the bulletin are described below:
    (1) Two new drawings, UC2-1 and UC2-2, have been added as 
alternative construction to existing drawing UC2.
    (2) RUS has determined that the URD INSPECTION FORM and 23 drawings 
are no longer practical. Therefore, RUS has removed the following 
drawings: UC3, UC4, UG9A, UG23, UM3-47, UM3-48, UM8-3, UM12-1, UM12-2, 
UM-26, UM50, UX8 through UX10, and UX12 through UX26.
    (3) Some of the specifications cited in the bulletin preface have 
been altered to comply with the latest codes and regulations and to 
improve field construction.
    (4) The titles of the drawings in the Index of Drawings have been 
modified to have better descriptions.
    Approximately 60 drawings have been revised with one or more of the 
following changes:
    (1) Clearance distance B has been changed to be the distance 
between open vertical conductors (outer edge nearest to pole) and pole 
center in accordance to the latest codes.
    (2) A B MINIMUM table has been added to appropriate drawings to 
show proper clearances corresponding to different voltages.
    (3) Ground rods have been redrawn to proper grade.
    (4) The installation of CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER signs has been 
changed to meet the latest codes.
    (5) In the material tables, item U hw, CAUTION sign, has been 
changed to WARNING sign.
    (6) In the material tables, item U hp, elbow termination, has been 
added.
    (7) Ground wires between ground rods and connectors have been 
redrawn as dotted lines.
    (8) In boxes labeled B MINIMUM, the v in kv has been capitalized.
    (9) Some notes below the DESIGNATE AS headings have been deleted 
where appropriate.
    (10) In the material tables, (load break type) has been removed 
from item af, cutout descriptions.
    (11) Several conductor routes have been redrawn for easier 
construction and increased performance.
    (12) Devices, such as surge arresters, have been redrawn and 
relocated to reflect the improved designs and to meet the latest 
construction practices and safety codes.
    (13) Crossarms, penta-head bolts, one-line diagrams, grounding 
pads, and pin

[[Page 34044]]

insulators have been added to certain drawings where appropriate.
    (14) Blowups have been added to several drawings to emphasize 
details.
    (15) The notes on some drawings have been revised to remove 
ambiguity and to meet the latest safety codes and construction 
standards.
    On April 8, 1998, RUS published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register, at 63 FR 17128. RUS received numerous comments from several 
cooperatives and interested individuals. The followings are the 
submitted comments and RUS responses:
    (1) Set all pad-mounted equipment on concrete vaults. The 
reinforcing steel in the base is tied to the ground rod. Tests have 
shown this scheme to provide a very good ground.
    Response: RUS disagrees as this practice may not be practical and 
may not significantly improve grounding in most cases.
    (2) Section 7.4: Requires ``mechanical tamp for only 36 inches from 
major units''--suggests no tamping requirement for the remainder of the 
trench. Is that the intent?
    Response: No. The 36 inches (0.9 meters) is mandatory and is a 
minimum requirement.
    (3) Section 7.5: Does the term ``hole'' refer to ground sleeve, or 
vault? Should RUS change this term?
    Response: Section 7.5 has been removed. This practice is not 
recommended by RUS.
    (4) Section 11.2: The ``not more than one splice per 2,000 feet'' 
is not practical if conduits and ground sleeves are involved. Splice 
location markings can be helpful, but not needed as a ``must''.
    Response: RUS allows the borrower the option to specify. RUS 
intention is to limit the number of splices of multi (``scrap'') 
cables.
    (5) Section 12.1: Would RUS consider reseal of the jacket?
    Response: As a precaution and to maximize reliability, RUS 
borrowers must use heat or cold shrink sleeves accepted by RUS (Refer 
to items U hf and U hy in RUS Information Publication 202-1, List of 
Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of RUS Electrification 
Borrowers).
    (6) Section 14.4: RUS may want to consider dead front treatment of 
this type transformer.
    Response: RUS does not accept enclosures such as sectionalizers and 
transformers unless they are of the dead front design.
    (7) Section 25.1: Is it the intention to require testing or to 
recommend testing that would be helpful?
    Response: Bulletin 1728F-806 requires that conductor continuity 
tests be conducted while it recommends that borrowers perform the high 
potential test. The term ``shall'' has been changed to ``should'' for 
the high potential test in section 25.1.b.
    (8) Drawing UC2-2: Cutouts placed on the opposite side of the 
crossarm would not expel fuse material on the terminations.
    Response: RUS agrees and has made the modifications to accommodate 
the suggested comment.
    (9) Drawing UC5 and UC6: Clarify underground source/or reverse 
switch. Also, jumpers from switch to overhead lines would not route to 
the pole like a ground wire. End view of equipment bracket needs to 
clarify separate phase connections; may need to exaggerate center phase 
offset.
    Response: The center primary conductor has been redrawn to depict a 
primary conductor not a ground wire. The devices are in line when seen 
from the sideview.
    (10) Drawing UG7: Position of primary bushings not typical of 
transformer supplied.
    Response: RUS is more concerned with detailing how the electrical 
connections should be completed. The philosophy of electrical 
connections is important because the bushing layout design may change 
from time to time. The drawing shown depicts an ANSI Type I 
transformer. As a result of this connection, the neutral has been moved 
to the bottom bushing.
    (11) Drawings UJ1 and UJ2: Dead front requirement is not clear.
    Response: These drawings apply to secondary connector blocks. Dead 
front construction does not apply here. However, to minimize chances 
for confusion, a note stating ``insulated cover removed'' has been 
added to the drawings.
    (12) Drawing UK6: Pentahead bolts on a below grade enclosure would 
seem unnecessary.
    Response: Public access and safety concerns for accessible 
underground facilities are no different than above grade construction.
    (13) Sections 10 and 11 Method of Calculating Minimum Conduit Size 
and Installation in Conduit or Duct: Should RUS provide an explanation 
of why these two sections were deleted and where a borrower can find 
information on the installation of wire in conduit?
    Response: The previous RUS published method of calculating conduit 
size is not the best available method. RUS recommends that borrowers 
contact cable and conduit manufacturers for design and installation 
instructions.
    (14) Drawing UG9A: Should this drawing be retained. It may be 
useful, as a reference, when retiring this unit from the field.
    Response: This construction standard is no longer recommended and 
has been removed from Bulletin 1728F-806. RUS suggests borrowers refer 
to RUS Bulletin 1767B-2 for reference of retirement units.
    (15) In general, the print size should be increased, especially 
item letters attached to drawings. It's easy to confuse e and c or a 
and o.
    Response: The font sizes have been increased.
    (16) On all terminal drawings, delete reference to parallel 
arresters. Those haven't been used since MOV arresters came into being 
in 1982-83. Maybe RUS should reinforce use of MOV's on underground in 
the material list under Uae surge arrester--MOV only.
    Response: RUS agrees and has removed all notes referring to 
parallel arresters as they are no longer applicable to this RUS 
construction standard.
    (17) Do not specify elbows as part of transformer drawings to be 
consistent with UM3 and UM33 drawings. If RUS would like to specify, 
UG7 needs 2 elbows not 1.
    Response: RUS agrees to specify two elbows on drawing UG7 to be 
consistent with other drawings.
    (18) On UM3-14 delete UM3-15 and UM3-16. Only difference between -
14 and -16 is the pad, which is spaced separately. -15 is obsolete. 
Change drawing to UM3. Redraw UM3-14 now as UM3 and show a 3-point 
junction to reflect the real world way the inside of the cabinet would 
look. What's illustrated doesn't exist.
    Response: Drawings UM3-15 and UM3-16 are obsolete and have been 
removed. For the ground connections to the enclosures, the ground wires 
are hidden. RUS changed the mounting arrangement to reflect field 
application.
    (19) In drawing UX4, since we show loops in ground rod connections 
for transformers and pad mount equipment, shouldn't there be 2 
connections to the ground rod?
    Response: Two connections in an enclosure are required to provide 
additional mechanical protection and to complete the ground loop. 
Connections to ground rods should be isolated and, mechanically, should 
not be disturbed. Therefore, dual connections to the ground rods are 
not needed.
    (20) On UX11 drawing, the note about 3 ft. max. is not needed. This 
connection has lead length of effectively 0 feet. The note is 
misapplied.

[[Page 34045]]

    Response: The note has been removed for the reasons presented in 
this comment.
    (21) Section 18: There is no reference to concrete vaults and their 
associated covers.
    Response: Due to the wide variation of concrete vaults available, 
RUS does not have specific requirements for concrete vaults.
    (22) Units UB1, UB3, UB2-1, UC2-1: The jumper between the top of 
the terminator and the top of the arrester crosses over the top of the 
crossarm. This will undoubtedly kill lots of birds.
    Response: Due to limitations of what and how we can show details on 
drawings, jumpers in drawings are for demonstration purpose and may not 
reflect actual field installation. Usually raptors choose the highest 
point to perch in search of prey and rest. On the structure referred to 
in this comment, most raptors can be expected to perch on the pole top 
rather than the lower crossarm. However, in locations where there is a 
possibility that raptors may use the lower crossarm, borrowers may 
utilize insulated jumper wires for the connection cited by the 
commentor.
    (23) Drawings UG17 and UG17B: Shows only one ground rod. Note that 
UM 48-2 shows two (2) ground rods which will help get below 25 ohms.
    Response: The ground rods on the drawings referred to by the 
commentor are not part of the cited drawings as is intended by their 
dotted appearance on these drawings. The ground rods are shown on these 
drawings only for reference perspective purposes. Grounding is required 
but for details on the grounding, borrowers would refer to the 
applicable RUS standard drawings on which grounding and ground rod use 
are included as part of the unit and included in the materials list. 
The applicable grounding drawings include notes that advise borrowers 
that depending on the condition and type of soil, installation of 
multiple ground rods may be necessary to attain a desirable ground 
resistance. These drawing notes also advise that, because use is site 
specific, numbers and type of ground rods are to be specified 
separately by the engineer.
    (24) Drawings UM 3-44 and UM 3-45: Live bushing equipment in this 
type of enclosure is not a good safety practice. Suggest it not be 
allowed.
    Response: The drawings were not shown as intended. As can be seen 
from the material listings for ``be'' and ``el'', these items are to be 
supplied with bushing wells and thus the drawings need to be shown 
using elbows. The drawings were changed to agree with materials used.
    (25) Drawing UM6 Page 5 of 8: In the Notes, items Uhf are referred 
to for resealing concentric neutral wires. What are they?
    Response: Item U hf is a cable sealing kit. A note has been added 
to the drawing to better explain this item and its use. RUS accepted U 
hf products of various manufacturers are included in RUS Informational 
Publication 202-1, List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of 
RUS Electrification Borrowers.
    (26) Drawing UA1--UC6: RUS Bulletin 50-6 recommends, p connectors 
as required, where as, RUS Bulletin 50-3 required, p compression 
connectors. It would be desirable to maintain a consistent standard in 
the type of connector required in making the connection from the 
primary neutral to the pole ground.
    Response: RUS requires compression connectors be used for grounding 
connections on underground construction. Many connector options may be 
use for overhead connections where conditions will generally be less 
adverse than underground construction. Compression connectors improve 
the chances for more permanent connections in underground construction.
    (27) Drawing UM48-2: This drawing previously required #2 copper for 
the grounding wire. This requirement does not seem to be clearly 
spelled out in the current drawing.
    Response: The minimum size of grounding wire to use is specified in 
the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). As the size of grounding 
wire required will vary, RUS no longer includes wire size in the 
drawing and leaves determination and specification to the design 
engineer. RUS does not object to using wire sizes which exceed the 
minimum NESC requirements.
    (28) Section 6.4 and 17.1: The two inches of sand is not 
recommended by the cable manufacturers. Sand serves as a thermal 
insulator and de-rates the cable ampacity. Also, for cable runs of a 
\1/4\ mile or more, a potential galvanic action problem may be created 
for grounding the cable as required by NESC.
    Response: Normally, good soil removed during digging of a trench is 
used as backfilling material. Sand is used as backfill in situations 
where removed soil is not suitable backfill material and consists of 
large rocks and/or sharp objects that could damage the buried cable. 
Sand may not be the ideal substitute as backfilling material. However, 
in most rural low load factor circuit use situations sand availability 
and economic feasibility make it a choice backfilling substitute.
    (29) Drawing UK5: Locking mechanism should have provisions for 
company pad lock.
    Response: NESC Rule 381G. requires enclosures to be either locked 
or otherwise secure against unauthorized entry. RUS requires and 
accepts enclosures that include the standard penta-head bolt, which 
provides the NESC intended security. Borrowers wishing to also use 
padlocking facilities in addition to having and using the required 
penta-head bolt may do so.
    (30) Can a note be included on some drawings (such as UB1 where the 
neutral is so high) allowing the neutral to be lowered to get it down 
out of the primary?
    Response: The neutral may be moved as long as the resulting 
installation meets proper clearances and does not violate safety codes.
    (31) Several sections state that it is the responsibility of the 
borrower to ensure that the Contractor and the Owner. Is the borrower 
not the owner? Maybe this needs to be clarified.
    Response: The commenter is correct in that the ``Owner'' and 
``Borrower'' are generally the same entity. The ``Owner'' is the term 
used in RUS standard contracts to refer to the RUS borrower that 
executes the contract with the contractor. Borrower refers to a RUS 
borrower that has obtained financing assistance from RUS and has 
executed a loan contract with RUS. For accuracy purposes, specific 
bulletin sections deliberately refer to the contract terminology noted.
    (32) Several sections state that it is the responsibility of the 
borrower to ensure. This needs to be changed to include the contractor 
as well.
    Response: RUS does not have a regulatory relationship that allows 
establishment of requirements for contractors. Thus, RUS requires the 
borrower to ensure that the contractor complies with contract 
provisions. Borrowers are able to do so easily by use of RUS 
construction contracts which both the borrower and the contractor sign. 
RUS contracts make the design specification (RUS Bulletin 1728F-806 in 
this case) an integral part of the contract under which the contractor 
is contractually obligated to comply with the specification provisions.
    (33) Section 17: Need to define what proper compaction is.
    Response: Proper compaction provisions vary greatly and depend on 
local conditions. Compaction provision should be established by the 
borrower and completed in accordance with the borrower's satisfaction.

[[Page 34046]]

    (34) Section 17.1: Is one inch too large for having in backfill?
    Response: Backfill with pieces of less than one-inch (25 
millimeter) size is recommended.
    (35) Section 18.1: Gravel or sand is not needed under pads in all 
cases. This should be optional.
    Response: RUS agrees and the term ``shall'' has been changed to 
``may.''
    (36) Drawings UB2 and UC2: Why is the crossarm shown on a different 
side of the pole on these two drawings as compared with UB1 and UC1? 
Why are left side terminals and cutouts not out to end of arms to 
balance construction?
    Response: Drawings UB1 and UC1 detail construction utilizing 
crossarm mounting arresters while drawings UB2 and UC2 detail 
construction utilizing bracket mounting arresters. Brackets mount on 
opposite sides of the pole to provide for accessibility and clearances. 
Equipment and hardware on the structures have been redrawn to depict 
balanced construction as suggested.
    (37) Drawings UC5 and UC6: Intermediate arresters are shown (we 
guess that is why they are so large). Most cooperatives use riser pole 
arresters.
    Response: We agree that the arrester size is confusing and revised 
the drawings to depict pole arrester use.
    (38) Drawings UG6, UG7, UG17, UG17-2 and UG17-3: No slack is shown 
in primary cable. Most cooperatives loop the primary over from the 
secondary side to give slack so that cables can be parked or switched. 
Bulletin 50-6 showed the cable this way.
    Response: We agree with the utility suggestion in this comment and 
revised the drawing by adding a note to allow slack in the primary 
cable installation.
    (39) Drawing UG17: Requiring three phase switches as implied by 
note 6 should be optional.
    Response: Note 6 on Drawing UG17 advises that three phase switching 
``should'' be installed where ferroresonance may occur. The note is 
cautionary to help avoid equipment damage on three-phase installations 
where ferroresonance is a possibility. Because the word ``should'' is 
used and not ``must'', three-phase switching would not need to be 
installed in situations where a borrower's engineer determined that 
ferroresonance would not occur.
    (40) Drawing UJ1: A note is needed on the drawing stating that the 
connector blocks must be insulated to have a ``dead-front'' unit.
    Response: These are drawings depicting various types of secondary 
connector blocks. It is not the intent of the bulletin to show dead 
front in this drawing. To help dispel possible confusion, the drawing 
includes a note that states ``insulated covers are not shown''.
    (41) Drawing UK6: If this handhole is metal, how is it to be 
grounded? Sign should be a warning not danger.
    Response: RUS accepted metal pedestals must have grounding lugs 
available on the inside wall. A note has been added advising that all 
pedestals shall be grounded in accordance with the NESC. The placement 
of the safety sign has been relocated to the pedestal side (with the 
penta-head bolt lock) that opens. Both DANGER and WARNING signs have 
been added to the drawing's material listings. A WARNING sign should be 
placed on the outside of the enclosure where there is a potential 
hazard. A DANGER sign should be placed on the inside of the enclosure 
where there is an imminent hazard.
    (42) Drawing UM1-6C: Having three or four different size pads might 
fit these size transformers better. Note #1 requires 4000# concrete, 
but most use 3000# which would be adequate for this.
    Response: RUS agrees and has amended Note 1 of the drawing to 
specify the minimum at 3000 pounds per square inch (20 megapascals).
    (43) Drawings UM3-44 and UM3-46: This is a dangerous installation 
since it is not dead front. A bushing insert can be installed in the 
recloser and then primary cable run to it to make everything deadfront.
    Response: The drawings were not shown as intended. As can be seen 
from the material listings for ``be'' and ``el'', these items are to be 
supplied with bushing wells and thus the drawings needs to be shown 
using elbows. The drawings were changed to agree with the materials 
used.
    (44) Drawing UM6-27: Needs to be omitted.
    Response: RUS agrees and has deleted this obsolete drawing.
    (45) Drawing UM8-2: Ground rod connector has to be above grade as 
per code. Does the post need to be a minimum size, such as 4 x 4 
inches?
    Response: Section 250-52(c)(3) of the National Electrical Code 
requires that the upper end of a driven ground rod be flush with or 
below ground level unless the rod end and the grounding electrode 
conductor attachment are protected against physical damage. The RUS 
drawing shows the top of the rod well beneath grade to depict greater 
protection for the rod end and the grounding attachment.
    RUS has included a note to require a minimum post size of 4 inches 
(10 centimeters) square or diameter.
    (46) Drawing UM8-4: Why not show conduit coming in bottom of meter 
base to eliminate the elbow?
    Response: RUS agrees and has revised the drawing to show cable 
entering from the base instead of from the side of the meter.
    (47) Drawing UM8-6: Why cannot a meter be mounted to transformer? 
Utilities do this all the time.
    Response: RUS does not believe such installations to be prudent. 
Mounting metering equipment onto the wall of padmounted transformers 
will require some cutting and drilling which will expose untreated 
transformer metal surfaces. These surfaces overtime will corrode 
prematurely and may cause serious problems.
    In addition, vibrations from the transformer may affect the meter 
operation. Also, anytime a transformer is changed out, the meter has to 
be changed as well.
    (48) Drawing UM12: Should this sign meet ANSI Z535 standards also? 
Would it be a Notice or a Warning or a Caution?
    Response: RUS agrees there may be confusion with this drawing and 
revised the drawing by adding the signal word ``WARNING'' to the label. 
A note was also added requiring the sign to comply with ANSI Z535.
    (49) Drawing UM26: Needs to be omitted. Nobody uses these anymore.
    Response: RUS agrees that this drawing depicts outdated 
construction and removed the drawing.
    (50) Drawing UM48-3: Is anode needed for jacketed cable?
    Response: The sacrificial anode (Item U si) shown as a hidden line 
is optional. Some RUS borrowers prefer to install anodes at all ground 
points because gophers might chew through the jacket and expose the 
copper neutrals. The sacrificial anode will provide corrosion 
protection to such exposed neutral wires preventing a loss of neutral 
integrity.
    (51) Drawing UX5: Need to show a minimum distance between ground 
rods as are done on other drawings.
    Response: RUS agrees and has revised the drawing to show a minimum 
spacing of 6 ft. (1.8 m) between multiple ground rods. (As a general 
rule, RUS recommends that separation of ground rods be no closer than 
the length of the ground rods used. When rods are closer to one another 
than their length they will magnetically influence one another and 
degrade grounding effectiveness.) A note was also added to advise that 
multiple rods may not fit inside the enclosure. Where spacing inside an

[[Page 34047]]

enclosure does not allow the 6 ft. (1.8 m) separation between multiple 
ground rods, one rod is to be installed inside the enclosure and the 
other outside. The ground loop has been redrawn to show a complete loop 
with a conductor feed from the loop down to the ground rod.
    (52) Drawing UM7-1: There is no minimum ground clearance shown on 
any pole structures. If RUS does not want to show minimum clearances, 
perhaps a note regarding the source for clearance information would be 
in order.
    Response: RUS agrees there is possible confusion here. Clearances 
were omitted purposefully because alternative working methods may be 
implemented along with appropriate alternative working clearances as a 
means of providing safety. To allay concerns of this comment, RUS 
revised the drawing by adding a note which states that clearances must 
meet NESC requirements.
    (53) Certain existing drawings (UC5) are a different design from 
the proposed drawings. Certain materials used are different and the 
specification will also have different record units.
    Response: RUS agrees and has changed the drawing numbers to the 
applicable drawings.
    (54) When RUS changes a construction specification, maybe RUS 
should add a suffix to indicate that change (example: UC5 change to 
UC5A or UC5-1, or UC5-98)
    Response: RUS agrees and has changed the drawing numbers to the 
applicable drawings.
    (55) Drawing UM48-2: The drawing shows the use of two ground rods 
in the elevation view, however, the quantity of rods is left open in 
the material list. I and a number of fellow workers and clients feel 
that it would be helpful to add a note 3 stating that the quantity of 
rods is to be determined by the specifier and that the use of two rods 
rather than one at a multi-phase transformer or enclosure is not a 
standard or a requirement by RUS.
    Response: RUS agrees. Depending on the condition and type of soil, 
installation of multiple ground rods may be necessary to attain a 
desirable ground resistance. Thus, ground rods need to be specified 
separately.
    In response to this comment, RUS added the following note to the 
drawing: ``The quantity of rods is to be determined by the specifier. 
The use of two rods rather than one at a multi-phase transformer or 
enclosure is not a standard or a requirement by RUS.''

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 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and by 
adding, in numerical order, the entry for Bulletin 1728F-806 to 
paragraph (b). The revision and addition read as follows:


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

    (a) The following electric bulletins have been approved for 
incorporation by reference by the Director of the Office of the Federal 
Register. The bulletins containing construction standards (50-3 to 50-6 
and 1728F-803 to 1728F-811), may be purchased from the Superintendent 
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. 
The bulletins containing specifications for materials and equipment 
(50-15 to 50-99 and 1728F-700) may be obtained from the Rural Utilities 
Service, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Stop 1522, Room 
4028-S, Washington, DC 20250-1522. The terms ``RUS form'', ``RUS 
standard form'', ``RUS specification'', and ``RUS bulletin'' have the 
same meanings as the terms ``REA form'', ``REA standard form'', ``REA 
specification'', and ``REA bulletin'', respectively unless otherwise 
indicated. The bulletins are available for inspection at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700, 
Washington, DC. These materials are incorporated as they exist on the 
date of the approval and a notice of any change in these materials will 
be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) * * *

Bulletin 1728F-806 (D-806), Specifications and Drawings for Underground 
Electric Distribution, June 2000.
* * * * *

    Dated: May 15, 2000.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 00-13293 Filed 5-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P