[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1879]


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 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. 70, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 2, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 5382]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1700 and 1709

RIN 0572-AB91


Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing regulations 
implementing its financial assistance programs for rural communities 
with extremely high energy costs. These programs are authorized under 
section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 918a). This proposed rule is intended to establish and clarify 
eligibility and application requirements, the review and approval 
process, and grant administration procedures for RUS grants to rural 
communities with extremely high energy costs and for grants to State 
entities for bulk fuel revolving loan funds. This publication of these 
rules will assure timely and effective distribution of grant funds to 
eligible rural communities and state entities. In the final rule 
section of this Federal Register, RUS is publishing this action as a 
direct final rule without prior proposal because RUS views this as a 
non-controversial action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no 
adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no 
further action will be taken on this proposed rule and the action will 
become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If RUS 
receives adverse comments, RUS will publish a timely notice withdrawing 
the direct final rule based on this action. Any parties interested in 
commenting on this proposed action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before 
March 4, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit your adverse comments or notice of intent to submit 
adverse comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instruction for submitting 
comments.
     Agency Web site: http://www. usda.;gov/rus/index2. 
Comments.htm. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
of the message ``7 CFR 1700 and 1709.''
     Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting 
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 5168-S, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    Instructions: RUS requests a signed original and three copies of 
all written comments (7 CFR 1700.4). Comments may also be submitted by 
e-mail at [email protected] and must contain the phrase ``High Cost 
Energy Grants'' in the subject line. All comments received must 
identify the name of the individual (and the name of the entity, if 
applicable) who is submitting the comment. All comments received will 
be posted without changes to http://www.usda.gov.rus.index2.Comments.htm, including any personal information provided. 
All comments will also be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Larsen, Management Analyst, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Electric Program, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1560, Room 5165-S, Washington, DC 
20250-1560. Telephone (202) 720-9545, Fax (202) 690-0717, e-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Supplementary Information provided 
in the direct final rule located in the final rule section of this 
Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this 
section.

    Dated: January 13, 2005.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1879 Filed 2-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P