[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4679-4680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2298]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2002 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 4679]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755


RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading Coils

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to amend its 
regulations on Telecommunications Standards and Specifications for 
Materials, Equipment and Construction, by rescinding the current issue 
of RUS Bulletin 345-22, RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading 
Coils, PE-26. This specification has become outdated because of 
advancements made in the delivery of telecommunications services to 
rural subscribers. This bulletin is incorporated by reference in RUS 
telecommunications regulations. Therefor, RUS is requesting public 
comments on this proposed rescission.

DATES: Comments concerning this proposed rule shall be received by RUS 
or be postmarked no later than April 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Gerald F. Nugent, Jr., 
Director, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598. RUS requests an original and 
three copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700). All comments received 
will be made available for public inspection at room 2905, South 
Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., STOP 1598 Washington, DC between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (7 CFR 
1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie I. Harper, Jr., Chief, Outside 
Plant Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598, telephone (202) 720-0667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule is exempt from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) review for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, 
therefore has not been reviewed by OMB.

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 section 3 of that Executive Order. 
In addition, all State and local laws and regulations that are in 
conflict with this rule will be preempted, no retroactive effect will 
be given to this rule, and, in accordance with section 212(e) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6912(e)), administrative appeal procedures, if any, must be exhausted 
before an action against the Department or its agencies may be 
initiated.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    RUS has determined that this proposed rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
The RUS telecommunications program provides loans to borrowers at 
interest rates and on terms that are more favorable than those 
generally available from the private sector. RUS borrowers, as result 
of obtaining federal financing, receive economic benefits that exceed 
any direct economic costs associated with complying with RUS 
regulations and requirements. Small entities are not subjected to any 
requirement which are not applied equally to large entities.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    This proposed rule contains no information collection or 
recordkeeping requirements 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 proposed 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 proposed rule is listed in the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance programs under No. 10.851, Rural 
Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees, and No. 10.852, Rural Telephone 
Bank Loans. This catalog is available on a subscription basis from the 
Superintendent of Documents, the United States Government Printing 
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325. Telephone (202) 512-1800.

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. See the final rule related notice 
entitled, ``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive 
Order 12372,'' (50 FR 47034).

Unfunded Mandates

    This proposed 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 proposed rule is not subject to the requirements of section 202 
and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Background

    RUS issues publications titled ``bulletins'' which serve to guide 
borrowers regarding already codified policy, procedures, and 
requirements needed to manage loans, loan guarantee programs, and the 
security instruments which provide for and secure RUS financing. RUS 
issues standards and specifications for construction of 
telecommunications facilities financed with RUS loan funds. After 
review of RUS's bulletin and specification issuances, RUS has decided 
to propose to rescind the outdated RUS Bulletin 345-22, RUS 
Specification for Voice Frequency Loading Coils, PE-26, issued January 
19, 1989. RUS felt rescission was the best option for this bulletin and 
welcomes public comment. This

[[Page 4680]]

bulletin is incorporated by reference at 7 CFR 1755.97.
    RUS Bulletin 345-22, RUS Specification for Voice Frequency Loading 
Coils, PE-26, specifies the technical requirements for voice frequency 
loading coils that are used in aerial, direct burial, and underground 
plant installations. Since RUS borrowers are designing and constructing 
new plant facilities capable of handling both voice and data 
transmission which require that loop lengths be shorter than 18,000 
feet, the installation of voice frequency loading coils in these new 
transmission facilities using these shorter loop lengths is no longer 
required. Therefore RUS is proposing to rescind this bulletin because 
of obsolescence.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755

    Loan programs-communications, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.

    For reasons set out in the preamble, RUS proposes to amend Chapter 
XVII of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR 
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

    1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et seq., 6941 et seq.


Sec. 1755.97  [Amended]

    2. Section 1755.97 is amended by removing the entry ``RUS Bulletin 
No. 345-22'' from the table.

    Dated: January 14, 2002.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2298 Filed 1-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P