[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 97 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 29537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12025]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 97 / Friday, May 18, 2012 / Rules and 
Regulations  

[[Page 29537]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1728 and 1755


Standards and Specifications for Timber Products Acceptable for 
Use by Rural Utilities Service Electric and Telecommunications 
Borrowers; Correction

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service published a final rule in the 
Federal Register on June 24, 2011, which amended its regulations on 
Electric and Telecommunications Standards and Specifications for 
Materials, Equipment and Construction, by codifying specifications for 
wood poles, stubs and anchor logs, wood crossarms (solid and 
laminated), transmission timbers and pole keys, and for quality control 
and inspection of timber products. The Agency also updated these 
specifications to conform with revisions to the American Wood 
Preservers' Association (AWPA) standards and follow agency policy on 
insurance requirements. The document inadvertently published incorrect 
percentages that would require rejection or re-inspection of the entire 
lot of poles. This document corrects these errors.

DATES: The correction is effective May 18, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Mr. H. Robert Lash, Transmission Branch, Electric 
Staff Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 1246, STOP 1569, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1569; telephone: (202) 720-0486, or, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Need for Correction

    As published, the final rule describes in detail the 
responsibilities and procedures pertaining to the quality control for 
crossarms as specified in 7 CFR 1728.202. In this section, RUS 
inadvertenly requires a 5 percent rejection or re-inspection of the 
entire lot of poles. The Agency is correcting this percentage 
inaccuracy in Sec. Sec.  1728.202(f)(3)(i)(B), 1728.202(f)(3)(i)(C) and 
1728.202(f)(3)(ii)(A) by replacing it with a 15 percent rejection or 
re-inspection of the entire lot of poles. The correct percentage of 15 
appeared in the proposed rule and the Agency did not receive any 
adverse comments regarding it.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Parts 1728 and 1755

7 CFR Part 1728

    Electric power, Incorporation by reference, Loan programs--energy, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas.

7 CFR Part 1755

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

    For reasons set forth in the preamble, chapter XVII of title 7 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as follows:

PART 1728--ELECTRIC STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND 
CONSTRUCTION

0
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.

0
2. In Sec.  1728.202, revise paragraphs (f)(3)(i)(B), (f)(3)(i)(C), and 
(f)(3)(ii)(A) to read as follows:


Sec.  1728.202  Bulletin 1728H-702, Specification for Quality Control 
and Inspection of Timber Products.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) Re-treat the charge if more than 15 percent of the borings are 
found to be nonconforming.
    (C) Re-treat all nonconforming poles if 15 percent or fewer fail 
the requirement.
    (ii) * * *
    (A) For Group B poles 45 feet and shorter, bore each pole and re-
treat only those found to be nonconforming, unless more than 15 percent 
fail; in that case, re-treat the entire lot.
* * * * *

    Dated: May 9, 2012.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12025 Filed 5-17-12; 8:45 am]
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