These Committee meetings are available to the public through the registration links above. Any interested members of the public may attend these meetings. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make oral statements as time allows. Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of each meeting will include a list of persons who are present. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number. Closed captioning is available by selecting “CC” in the meeting platform. To request additional accommodations, please email svillanueva@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the scheduled meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Sarah Villanueva at svillanueva@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at 1-202-656-8937.

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via the file sharing website, https://bit.ly/3BrSCZO. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at svillanueva@usccr.gov.

This committee meeting is available to the public through the registration link above. Any interested member of the public may listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number. Closed captioning will be available. To request additional accommodations, please email Corrine Sanders, Support Specialist, at csanders@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Mallory Trachtenberg, mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at (202) 809-9618.

Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Iowa Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov

During public comment, students who wish to respond to the Committee's study are welcome to share any comments. Questions the Committee is considering include:

• Are you aware of mental health services in your school?

• If you or someone you know needed mental health services, would you know who to go to in your school?

• Would you be comfortable accessing mental health services through your school? If not, why not?

• If you have used mental health services in the past, have you found them helpful? If not, why not?

• Is there anything else you would like the Iowa Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights to know about your experience with accessing mental and behavioral healthcare in Iowa's K-12 schools?

On December 7, 2012, Commerce published in the Federal Register the AD Order and CVD Order on solar cells from China. 1 On February 1, 2024, Commerce initiated the second sunset review of the Orders, 2 pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). As a result of its review, Commerce determined that revocation of the Orders would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and net countervailable subsidies, and therefore, notified the ITC of the magnitude of the margins of dumping and subsidy rates likely to prevail should the Orders be revoked. 3

On September 20, 2024, the ITC published its determination, pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752(a) of the Act, that revocation of the Orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. 4

The merchandise covered by the Orders are crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, and modules, laminates, and panels, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels and building integrated materials.

The Orders covers crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, coating, and/or addition of materials (including, but not limited to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the electricity that is generated by the cell.

Merchandise under consideration may be described at the time of importation as parts for final finished products that are assembled after importation, including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels, building-integrated modules, building-integrated panels, or other finished goods kits. Such parts that otherwise meet the definition of merchandise under consideration are included in the scope of the Orders.

Excluded from the scope of the Orders are thin film photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).

Also excluded from the scope of the Orders are crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000 mm2 in surface area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell. Where more than one cell is permanently integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all cells that are integrated into the consumer good.

Additionally, excluded from the scope of the Orders are panels with surface area from 3,450 mm2 to 33,782 mm2 with one black wire and one red wire (each of type 22 AWG or 24 AWG not more than 206 mm in length when measured from panel extrusion), and not exceeding 2.9 volts, 1.1 amps, and 3.19 watts. For the purposes of this exclusion, no panel shall contain an internal battery or external computer peripheral ports.

Also excluded from the scope of the Orders are:

1. Off grid CSPV panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with the following characteristics:

(A) a total power output of 100 watts or less per panel;

(B) a maximum surface area of 8,000 cm2 per panel;

(C) do not include a built-in inverter;

(D) must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in either an 8mm male barrel connector, or a two-port rectangular connector with two pins in square housings of different colors;

(E) must include visible parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each solar cell; and

(F) must be in individual retail packaging (for purposes of this provision, retail packaging typically includes graphics, the product name, its description and/or features, and foam for transport); and

2. Off grid CSPV panels without a glass cover, with the following characteristics:

(A) a total power output of 100 watts or less per panel;

(B) a maximum surface area of 8,000 cm2 per panel;

(C) do not include a built-in inverter;

(D) must include visible parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each solar cell; and

(E) each panel is

1. permanently integrated into a consumer good;

2. encased in a laminated material without stitching, or

3. has all of the following characteristics: (i) the panel is encased in sewn fabric with visible stitching, (ii) includes a mesh zippered storage pocket, and (iii) includes a permanently attached wire that terminates in a female USB-A connector.

In addition, the following CSPV panels are excluded from the scope of the Orders:

(1) off-grid CSPV panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, whether or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel whose function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water:

(A) A total power output of no more than 80 watts per panel;

(B) A surface area of less than 5,000 square centimeters (cm2) per panel;

(C) Do not include a built-in inverter;

(D) Do not have a frame around the edges of the panel;

(E) Include a clear glass back panel; and

(F) Must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a two-port rectangular connector.

Modules, laminates, and panels produced in a third-country from cells produced in China are covered by the Orders; however, modules, laminates, and panels produced in China from cells produced in a third-country are not covered by the Orders.

Additionally excluded from the scope of the Order are off-grid small portable crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, with or without a glass cover, with the following characteristics: (1) a total power output of 200 watts or less per panel; (2) a maximum surface area of 16,000 cm2 per panel; (3) no built-in inverter; (4) an integrated handle or a handle attached to the package for ease of carry; (5) one or more integrated kickstands for easy installation or angle adjustment; and (6) a wire of not less than 3 meters either permanently connected or attached to the package that terminates in an 8mm diameter male barrel connector.

Also excluded from the scope of the Orders are off-grid crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, whether or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel whose function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water:

(A) A total power output of no more than 180 watts per panel at 155 degrees Celsius;

(B) A surface area of less than 16,000 square centimeters (cm 2 ) per panel;

(C) Include a keep-out area of approximately 1,200 cm 2 around the edges of the panel that does not contain solar cells;

(D) Do not include a built-in inverter;

(E) Do not have a frame around the edges of the panel;

(F) Include a clear glass back panel;

(G) Must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a two-port rounded rectangular, sealed connector;

(H) Include a thermistor installed into the permanently connected wire before the two-port connector; and

(I) Include exposed positive and negative terminals at opposite ends of the panel, not enclosed in a junction box.

Merchandise covered by this Order is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff System of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 8501.71.0000, 8501.72.1000, 8501.72.2000, 8501.72.3000, 8501.72.9000, 8501.80.1000, 8501.80.2000, 8501.80.3000, 8501.80.9000, 8507.20.8010, 8507.20.8031, 8507.20.8041, 8507.20.8061, 8507.20.8091, 8541.42.0010, and 8541.43.0010. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of the Orders are dispositive.

As a result of the determinations by Commerce and the ITC that revocation of the Orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and net countervailable subsidies, and material injury to an industry in the United States, pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce hereby orders the continuation of the Orders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to collect AD and CVD cash deposits at the rates in effect at the time of entry for all imports of subject merchandise.

The effective date of the continuation of the Orders will be September 20, 2024. 5 Pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c)(2), Commerce intends to initiate the next five-year reviews of the Orders not later than 30 days prior to fifth anniversary of the date of the last determination by the ITC.

This notice also serves as a final reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3), which continues to govern business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding. Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials, or conversion to judicial protective order, is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction.

These five-year (sunset) reviews and this notice are issued in accordance with sections 751(c) and 751(d)(2) of the Act, and published in accordance with section 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4).

On February 2, 2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register a notice of opportunity to request an administrative review of the AD order  1 on PC wire strand from the UAE, covering the POR. 2 On February 27, 2024, Essen Steel Industry L.L.C. (Essen) timely requested that Commerce conduct an administrative review. 3 On April 9, 2024, Commerce initiated an administrative review of the Order covering the POR. 4 In a letter filed to the record at the outset of this proceeding, Essen acknowledged that it had no entries during the POR, but requested that Commerce exercise its discretion to modify the POR to capture a single sale intended for entry during the POR, but which entered the United States on February 8, 2024. 5

On April 18, 2024, Commerce released to the record confirmation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that there were no entries of subject merchandise during the POR in a memorandum which notified parties of its intent to rescind this review in the absence of any suspended entries during the POR from Essen. 6 In the Intent to Rescind Memorandum, Commerce provided all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the intent to rescind the review. No party to the proceeding provided comments on Commerce's intent to rescind the review. Subsequent to issuance of the Intent to Rescind Memorandum, pursuant to Essen's request for review of the same entry identified on the record of this proceeding, Commerce initiated a separate new shipper review covering the above-referenced sale. 7

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), it is Commerce's practice to rescind an administrative review of an AD order where it concludes that there were no suspended entries of subject merchandise during the POR. 8 Normally, upon completion of an administrative review, the suspended entries are liquidated at the AD assessment rate for the review period. 9 Therefore, for an administrative review to be conducted, there must be a reviewable, suspended entry that Commerce can instruct CBP to liquidate at the calculated AD assessment rate for the review period. 10 As noted above, there were no suspended entries of subject merchandise from Essen during the POR. Accordingly, in the absence of suspended entries of subject merchandise during the POR, we are rescinding this administrative review for Essen in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3).

Commerce will instruct CBP to assess antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. Because Commerce is rescinding this review in its entirety, the entries to which this administrative review pertained shall be assessed at rates equal to the cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties required at the time of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(c)(1)(i). Commerce intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of this rescission notice in the Federal Register .

This notice serves as a final reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305, which continues to govern business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding. Timely written notification of the return or destruction of the APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with regulations and terms of an APO is a violation, which is subject to sanction.

This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(l) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4).

The purpose of this joint HMSAS-HMSMT online meeting is to discuss relevant topics on the Pacific Council's November meeting agenda to assist in the preparation of reports on those topics.

Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may be discussed, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issues arising after publication of this document that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency.

Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt ( kris.kleinschmidt@noaa.gov; (503) 820-2412) at least 10 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

The following items are on the agenda, though agenda items may be addressed out of order (changes will be noted on the Council's website when possible).

The Council will consider approval of a final range of alternatives for the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Policy Board will consider approval of a draft addenda document for public hearings.

The Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board will take final action on the Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions Framework/Addendum.

Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal Council action during this meeting. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c), provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Shelley Spedden at the Council Office, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

The Scallop Advisory Panel will meet to discuss: Framework Adjustment 39: Receive an update on plan development team (PDT) tasking and provide input on the range of potential access area and days-at-sea (DAS) allocations for the 2025 and 2026 fishing years. Framework 39 will set specifications including ABC/ACLs, days-at-sea, access area allocations, total allowable landings for the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) management area, targets for General Category incidental catch, General Category access area trips, and set-asides for the observer and research programs for fishing year 2025 and default specifications for fishing year 2026. This action will also consider modifying the current seasonal flatfish closure in Closed Area II, and adjusting regulations to allow NGOM permitted vessels to possess scallops outside of the management unit. They will also receive an update on ongoing 2024 scallop work priorities. Other business will be discussed, if necessary.

Although non-emergency issues not contained on the agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency. The public also should be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request.

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Cate O'Keefe, Executive Director, at (978) 465-0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives with attached Transmittal 23-27, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of the Netherlands

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

Funding Source: National Funds.

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase:

(iv) Military Department: Navy (NE-P-LIG)

(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: NE-P-LFN, NE-P-LAB

(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex

(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: June 2, 2023

* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up to eight (8) eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules (either system or standalone). Also included are spare parts; handling equipment; transportation test and support equipment; software; engineering/technical assistance; personnel training and training equipment; documentation, publications, and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $110 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist the Netherlands in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability for the Netherlands while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces. The Royal Netherlands Navy intends to use the MK 41 VLS B/L VII strike length launcher modules for their new ship class. These modules are intended for ESSM BLK1 and SM-2 capabilities in support of ongoing and emergent operational needs. The Netherlands has previously purchased MK 41 VLS capability and actively uses it on their current ship classes. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of the proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands. However, U.S. Government or contractor personnel in-country visits will be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:

1. The Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) is a fixed, vertical, multi-missile launching system with the capability to store and launch multiple missile variants depending on the warfighting mission, including the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), Standard Missile (SM), and Tomahawk Cruise Missiles. This proposed sale would provide tactical VLS capability for the ESSM and SM. The MK 41 VLS is a modular below-deck configuration with each module consisting of 8 missile cells with an associated gas management and deluge system.

2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is CONFIDENTIAL.

3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop countermeasures that might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities.

4. A determination has been made that the Netherlands can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.

5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal are authorized for release and export to the Government of the Netherlands.

This 36(b)(5)(C) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives with attached Transmittal 23-0G.

(i) Purchaser: Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO)

(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 20-74

Date: December 11, 2020

Military Department: Air Force

(iii) Description: On December 11, 2020, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 20-74 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of four (4) Weapons-Ready MQ-9B Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS); two (2) Fixed Ground Control Stations; two (2) Mobile Ground Control Stations; and fourteen (14) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (12 installed, 2 spares). Also included were MX-20 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems and spares; SeaVue Maritime Multi-Role Patrol Radars; SAGE 750 Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) Systems; C-Band Line-of-Sight (LOS) Ground Data Terminals; Ku-Band SATCOM GA-ASI Transportable Earth Stations (GATES); AN/DPX-7 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders; Honeywell TPE-331-10GD Turboprop Engines; M6000 UHF/VHF Radios; KIV-77 Mode 5 IFF cryptographic appliques; AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders; secure communications, cryptographic, and IFF equipment; initial spare and repair parts; hard points, power, and data connections for weapons integration; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost was $600 million. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $153 million of this total.

This transmittal notifies the inclusion of the following MDE items: an additional two (2) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) (EGI) with SAASM or M-code capability; and six (6) AN/APY-8 Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) systems. Also included are Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) 4500 Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Systems; Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) 6Sx systems and Video Dissemination Links (VDL); Digital Datalink Encryptors; Automatic Information System Transponders; KOR-24A tactical airborne radios; and portable pre/post-flight equipment; as well as additional units of the following: MX-20 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems; SeaVue Maritime Multi-Role patrol radars; SAGE 750 Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) systems; C-Band Line-of-Sight (LOS) ground data terminals; Honeywell TPE-331-10GD turboprop engines; M6000 UHF/VHF radios; cryptographic and IFF equipment; and Simple Key Loaders. This transmittal further notifies the following non-MDE items that were inadvertently omitted from the original notification: Due Regard Radars (DRR); and KY-100M narrowband/wideband cryptographic devices. The estimated total value of the additional items is $152 million. The total estimated MDE value will increase by $14 million to $167 million. The estimated total case value will increase to $752 million.

(iv) Significance: The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by providing timely Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition, and counter-land, counter-sea, and anti-submarine strike capabilities for its security and defense.

(v) Justification: This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.

(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:

The Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM)—or M-Code receiver when available—and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) is a self-contained navigation system that provides information on the following: acceleration, velocity, position, attitude, platform azimuth, magnetic and true heading, altitude, body angular rates, time tags, and coordinated universal time (UTC) synchronized time. SAASM or M-Code enables the GPS receiver access to the encrypted P(Y) code or M code signal, providing protection against active spoofing attacks.

The AN/APY-8 Lynx Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) system provides all-weather surveillance, tracking and targeting for military and commercial customers from manned and unmanned vehicles.

The Due Regard Radar (DRR) is a collision avoidance air-to-air radar comprised of a two-panel Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna and a Radar Electronics Assembly (REA) that give the UAS pilot the ability to detect and track aircraft across the same Field-of-View (FOV) as a manned aircraft. AESA technology allows the DRR to track multiple targets while simultaneously continuing to scan for new aircraft.

The KY-100Ms provide encryption to enable secure voice communications over the MQ-9B's radios.

The SNC 4500E ELINT system is used to detect, identify, and locate various radar emitters and provide the collected data to operational users for further analysis and exploitation.

The L3 Harris ROVER 6Sx/6Si transceiver provides real-time, full-motion video (FMV) and other network data for situational awareness, targeting, battle damage assessment, surveillance, relay, convoy over-watch operations and other situations where eyes-on-target are required. It provides expanded frequencies and additional processing resources from previous ROVER versions, allowing increased levels of collaboration and interoperability with numerous manned and unmanned airborne platforms.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) Transponder provides the ability to track & identify AIS-equipped maritime vessels over VHF.

The Digital Datalink Encryptors provide NSA Type-1 encryption for each High Data Rate (HDR) datalink. The MQ-9B system utilizes multiple independent datalinks to provide communications between the Ground Control Station and the aircraft.

The KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT) is a two channel, software defined, small form factor Link 16 radio. The STT provides high assurance secure communications.

The Portable Pre-flight/Post-flight Equipment (P3E) is used by the ground crew at the MQ-9B operating sites to interface with the aircraft for performing maintenance functions. The P3E is a ruggedized computer assembly that interfaces directly with the aircraft via a cable and provides functionality for conducting pre and post-flight checks, and to establish the aircraft on the SATCOM datalink for handover to the flight crew in the Ground Control Station.

The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the original notification applies to additional items reported here.

The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.

(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: June 8, 2023

This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives with attached Transmittal 23-35, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Ukraine

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

Funding Source: National Funds.

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of Ukraine has requested to buy the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), that includes:

(iv) Military Department: Army (JU-B-UAC)

(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None

(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex

(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 24, 2023

* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

The Government of Ukraine has requested to buy the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), that includes: one (1) AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar. Also included are a Fire Distribution Center (FDC); canister launchers, secure communications, GPS receivers, code loaders, and cable sets; tool kits; test equipment; support equipment; prime movers; generators; technical documentation; spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $285 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

Ukraine has an urgent need to increase its capabilities to defend against Russian missile strikes and aircraft. Acquiring and effectively deploying this capability will enhance Ukraine's ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Ukraine.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:

1. National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS) Description. This is a System of Systems (SOS) consisting of the Sentinel Radar, the Fire Distribution Center (FDC), the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), the AIM-120 Extended Range Missile (AMRAAM-ER), and the AIM-9X Missile. The NASAMS MRADS is designed for mid-range air defense and can be deployed to engage fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems (UASs). The NASAMS MRADS is not a Program of Record (POR) for the U.S. Department of Defense, but the SOS architecture does consist of several PORs: the U.S. Army's AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar, the U.S. Air Force's AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, and the U.S. Navy's AIM-9X Missile. The NASAMS is comprised of both U.S.- and Norwegian-manufactured components. Norwegian components will be procured by the Raytheon Company. Norwegian involvement will be managed by Raytheon using export authorizations received from the U.S. Department of State.

2. NASAMS Fire Unit (FU). Consists of one fire distribution center (FDC); one AN/MPQ-64F1surveillance, acquisition, and tracking radar; three truck-mounted Canister Launchers (LCHR); and the High Mobility Launcher (HML).

3. Fire Distribution Center (FDC). The command & control entity, FDC, is the major operator interface in NASAMS. It provides all command-and-control functionality necessary to effectively conduct Air Defense missions, both in a stand-alone configuration as well as in a netted configuration integrated with other units. The FDC interfaces and controls the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar and the Canister and High Mobility-Launchers. The FDC also interfaces (voice and data) to the national command and control structure.

4. AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar. This is the organic mobile Air Defense acquisition and tracking sensor for the United States Army. Sentinel provides persistent air surveillance and fire control quality data through command-and-control systems to defeat UAS, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft threats.

5. Canister Launcher (CLS). Purpose is to transport, aim, and fire the U.S. Air Force AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER, and the U.S. Navy AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Under the remote control of the FDC, the launcher permits rapid launching of one or more missiles against single or multiple targets and can support 6 engagements simultaneously. The launcher provides 360-degree, all weather, day and night, missile launch capability.

6. The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.

7. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop countermeasures that might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities.

8. A determination has been made that Ukraine can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.

9. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal have been authorized for release and export to the Government of Ukraine.

This 36(b)(5)(C) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives with attached Transmittal 23-0I.

(i) Purchaser: Government of Australia

(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 11-05

Date: February 1, 2011

Military Department: Navy

(iii) Description: On February 1, 2011, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 11-05 of the possible sale under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act of the Government of Australia's request for ten year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for Australia's fleet of twenty-four (24) MH-60R helicopters. The sustainment effort included spare and repair parts provisioning, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost was $1.6 billion, with no Major Defense Equipment (MDE).

On July 10, 2018, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 18-0A of the extension of the sustainment support will include additional spare parts through June 2028 as requested by Australia. There was no increase in MDE cost. The case value increased from $1.6 billion to $2.8 billion.

On June 15, 2020, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 0H-20 of the addition of the following MDE: three (3) airborne Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with GPS security devices and four (4) T700-GE-401C turbo engines. This equipment resulted in a net increase in MDE cost of $5 million and a corresponding decrease in the non-MDE value by $5 million. The total estimated cost remained $2.8 billion.

This transmittal notifies Australia's request for continued sustainment and support services for its MH-60R helicopters. No additional MDE is being added and there is no increase in MDE cost. The total estimated cost will increase to $4.3 billion.

(iv) Significance: This proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to perform anti-surface and antisubmarine warfare missions as well as secondary missions, including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay. Australia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.

(v) Justification: This proposed sale supports the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability around the world.

(vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the original notification applies to items reported here.

The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.

(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 19, 2023

This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives with attached Transmittal 23-13, and Policy Justification.

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Kuwait

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

Funding Source: National Funds

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase:

(iv) Military Department: Navy (KU-P-GHY)

(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KU-P-GGX, KU-P-GHI, KU-P-GHJ, KU-P-SBG

(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None

(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: June 13, 2023

* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy continuation of contractor engineering technical services; contractor maintenance services; Hush House (an enclosed, noise-suppressed aircraft jet engine testing facility) support services; and Liaison Office Support for the Government of Kuwait's F/A-18 C/D/E/F program, to include: F/A-18 avionics software upgrades; engine component improvements; ground support equipment; engine and aircraft spares and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; Engineering Change Proposals (ECP); U.S. Government and contractor programmatic, financial, and logistics support; maintenance and engineering support; F404/F414 engine and engine test cell support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $1.8 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will improve Kuwait's ability to meet current and future regional threats. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this support and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Sigmatech, Inc., Huntsville, AL; Kay and Associates, Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL; Kellogg, Brown, and Root, Houston, TX; L3 Technologies, Melbourne, FL; The Boeing Company, St. Louis, MO; General Electric, Lynn, MA; Industrial Financial Services, Ottawa, ON; and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL. Additional principal contractors will be determined by a competitive contractual award process. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of seven hundred thirty-five (735) U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Kuwait for a period of three years to establish and maintain operational capability.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and as part of its ongoing integration and management efforts, the DoD is removing 26 Privacy Act SORNs from its inventory. Upon review of its inventory, DoD determined it no longer needs or uses these systems of records because the records are covered by other SORNs; therefore, DoD is retiring the following:

These eight systems of records [items (a) through (h)] are being rescinded because the records are now maintained as part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD-0020, Military Human Resource Records, published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2024 (89 FR 42459).

(a) The Department of the Navy system of records N01070-3, Navy Military Personnel Records System (April 15, 2010, 75 FR 19627) was established to assist officials and employees of the Navy in the management, supervision and administration of Navy personnel (officer and enlisted) and the operations of related personnel affairs and functions.

(b) The Department of the Navy system of records N01080-1, Enlisted Master File Automated Systems, (June 7, 2013, 78 FR 34354) was established to assist in the administration, management, and supervision of Navy enlisted personnel and the operation of personnel affairs and functions.

(c) The Department of the Navy system of records N01080-2, Officer Master File Automated Systems (November 1, 2013, 78 FR 65620) was established to assist officials and employees of the Navy in their official duties related to the management, supervision, and administration of both active duty and retired naval officers, and in the operation of personnel affairs and functions.

(d) The Defense Logistics Agency system of records S310.07, Military Online Personnel System (March 21, 2013, 78 FR 17385) was established to manage, administer, and document the service member's assignment; to provide career advice to service members; and to advise primary level field activity Commanders and the Director of incidents. The data is also used for reports on force effectiveness, contingency planning, training requirements, and manpower deficiencies.

(e) The Defense Logistics Agency system of records S200.30, Reserve Affairs Records Collection (June 10, 2010, 75 FR 32915) was established to provide background information on individuals assigned to DLA and to document their assignment. Data is used in preparation of personnel actions such as reassignments, classification actions, promotions, scheduling, and verification of active duty and inactive duty training. The data is also used for management and statistical reports and studies.

(f) The Department of the Air Force system of records F036 AF PC C, Military Personnel Records System (October 13, 2000, 65 FR 60916) was established to maintain actions/processes related to procurement, education and training, classification, assignment, career development, evaluation, promotion, compensation, sustentation, separation and retirement.

(g) The Department of the Air Force system of records F036 AF PC Q, Personnel Data System (PDS) (June 11, 1997, 62 FR 31793) was established as a centralized personnel management system in an environment that is widely dispersed geographically and encompasses a population that is diverse in terms of qualifications, experience, military status and needs.

(h) The Department of the Air Force system of records F036 AFPC E, Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) Case Files (March 05, 2013, 78 FR 14288) was established to maintain oversight of Air Force personnel placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL).

These two systems of records [items (i) through (j)] are being rescinded because the records are now maintained as part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD-0015, Enterprise Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Records, published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77085).

(i) The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) system of records T5210, Account Management Provisioning System (AMPS) (October 17, 2014, 79 FR 62431) was established to maintain information operations to control and track access to controlled networks, computer systems, and databases. The records may also be used by law enforcements officials to identify the occurrence of and assist in the prevention of computer misuse and/or crime. Statistical data, with all personal identifiers removed, may be used by management for system efficiency, workload calculation, or reporting purposes.

(j) The Defense Information System Agency (DISA) system of records KWHC.07, Agency Access/Pass File System (February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10562) was established to record names, signatures and identity of those authorized access. Used to obtain and grant clearance or extension of clearance for access to classified information, equipment, sites or containers. Used to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure of classified material or information.

These three systems of records [items (k) through (m)] are rescinded because the records are now maintained as a part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD-0019, Information Technology Access and Audit Records (ITAAR) published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2023 (88 FR 60442).

(k) The Defense Contract Audit Agency system of records RDCAA 590.14, RDCAA Access Request Records (October 01, 2008, 73 FR 57069) was established to control and track access to DCAA-controlled networks, computer systems, and databases. The records may also be used by law enforcement officials to identify the occurrence of and assist in the prevention of computer misuse and/or crime.

(l) The Defense Logistics Agency system of records S500.55, Information Technology Access and Control Records (November 19, 2014, 79 FR 68873) was established to control and track access to DLA-controlled networks, computer systems, and databases. The records may also be used by law enforcement officials to identify the occurrence of and assist in the prevention of computer misuse and/or crime.

(m) The Office of the Secretary, DoD Joint Staff system of records DWHS C01, Enterprise Support Portal (ESP) (November 05, 2015, 80 FR 68517) was established to assist OSD Components in organizational management tasks, manpower-related tasks, and general administrative tasks related to employees by retrieving information from the authoritative sources and storing administrative information within the Enterprise Support Portal. To process network/system account requests, IT service/helpdesk requests, and facilities requests.

These three systems of records [items (n) through (p)] are rescinded because the records are now maintained as a part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD-0005, Defense Training Records, published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2020 (85 FR 84316).

(n) The Department of the Air Force system of records F035 SAFPA C, Graduates of Air Force Short Course in Communication (Oklahoma University) (June 11, 1997, 62 FR 31793) was established to provide the Academic Detachment Liaison Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge and the Chief, Office for Plans and Resources, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs (SAF/PAX) with historical background on the conduct of the course; serves as a ready reference for students to verify or resolve questions concerning their attendance at the Short Course.

(o) The Department of the Air Force system of records F033 AFSPC C, AF e-Learning System (July 26, 2012, 77 FR 43816) was established to provide interactive, self-paced, web-based training and reference material anytime, anywhere to user desktops to keep Air Force personnel skilled in the technology and knowledge they need to carry out their missions. It is used as a management tool in support of Air Force information technology training requirements.

(p) The Department of the Air Force system of records F036 AFOSI E, Command Learning Management System (October 21, 2010, 75 FR 65007) was established to identify, monitor, and schedule Air Force and AFOSI mandated training. The system maintains individuals training history and is a repository for historical documentation such as certificates and transcripts.

These two systems of records [items (q) through (r)] are rescinded because the records are now maintained as a part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD-0022, Defense Debt Management Records, published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2024 (89 FR 50581).

(q) The Department of the Navy system of records MJA000005, Financial Assistance/Indebtedness/Credit Inquiry Files (August 17, 1999, 64 FR 44698) was established to provide a record of Marines identified as owing debts or having need for financial aid for use in processing correspondence relating to financial assistance, credit inquiry or indebtedness.

(r) The Department of the Navy system of records N07200-1, Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Debtors List (January 29, 2007, 72 FR 3983) was established to maintain an automated tracking and accounting system for individuals indebted to the Department of the Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities for the purpose of collecting debts.

These two systems of records [items (s) through (t)] are rescinded because the records are now maintained as a part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD-0017, Privacy and Civil Liberties Complaints and Correspondence Records, published in the Federal Register on October 3, 2023 (88 FR 68114).

(s) The Defense Logistics Agency system of records S180.10, Congressional, Executive, and Political Inquiry Records, (October 20, 2011, 76 FR 65185) was established to reply to inquiries and to determine the need for and course of action to be taken for resolution.

(t) The Department of the Air Force system of records F033 SAFLL A, Congressional/Executive Inquiries, (November 10, 2005, 70 FR 68408) was established to use as a reference base in the case of similar inquiries from other Members of Congress, on behalf of the same Air Force issue and/or follow-up by the same Member. Information may also be used by appropriate Air Force offices as a basis for corrective action and for statistical purposes.

The following individual system of records notices [items (u) through (z)] are being rescinded for the reasons stated in each paragraph below.

(u) The Department of the Air Force system of records F044 AF SG R, Reporting of Medical Conditions of Public Health and Military Significance (June 16, 2003, 68 FR 35646) was established to be used for ongoing public health surveillance, which is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of outcome-specific data for use in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice within the Air Force. The Air Force is rescinding F044 AF SG R because the records are now maintained as part of the DoD-wide system of records titled Defense Accountability and Assessment Records, DoD-0012 published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2022, 87 FR 77088.

(v) The Department of the Air Force system of records system of records F044 AF SG T, Suicide Event Surveillance System (SESS) (June 16, 2003, 68 FR 35646) was established to be used for direct reporting of suicide events and ongoing public health surveillance, which is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of outcome-specific data for use in the planning, implementation, evaluation and prevention within the Air Force. The Air Force is rescinding F044 AF SG T because the records are maintained as part of as a part of the DoD-wide system of records titled EDHA 20 DoD, Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) System published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2016 (81 FR 22240).

(w) The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) system of records T7205a, Defense Business Management System (DBMS) (March 12, 2014, 79 FR 14010) was established to provide a means of reporting all costs entering the general ledger; account for appropriated funds; provide a means of reconciling financial records; and for the preparation of most financial reports. The DFAS is rescinding T7205a because the records are maintained as part of S890.11, Defense Agencies Initiative (DAI), published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2019 (84 FR 25537).

(x) The Office of the Secretary, DoD/Joint Staff system of records T7335e, Defense Working Capital Fund System (DWAS) (January 28, 2013, 78 FR 5784) was established as the financial system of record and the single source for consolidated financial information for the General and Working Capital Funds. The DFAS is rescinding T7335e because the system was decommissioned and the records are now maintained as part of the N07220-1, Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2012 (77 FR 71185).

(y) The Department of the Navy system of records N05802-1, Fiduciary Affairs Records (February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10772) was established to provide nonjudicial financial management of military pay and allowances payable to active duty, fleet reserve, and retired Navy and Marine Corps members for the period during which they are medically determined to be mentally incapable of managing their financial affairs. The Navy is rescinding N05802-1 because the records are now maintained as part of the T7347B, Defense Military Retiree and Annuity Pay System Records published in the Federal Register on January 07, 2009, 74 FR 696.

(z) The Department of the Air Force system of records system of records F033 CVAE A, Secretary of the Air Force Historical Records (June 11, 1997, 62 FR 31793) was established for research by Air Force Historian, other government agencies and private institutions. The Air Force is rescinding F033 CVAE A because the records are now maintained as part of the DoD-wide system of records titled DoD Historical Records, DoD-0014 published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2022 (87 FR 77085).

DoD SORNs have been published in the Federal Register and are available from the address in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or at the Privacy and Civil Liberties Directorate website at https://dpcld.defense.gov.

Under the Privacy Act, a “system of records” is a group of records under the control of an agency from which information is retrieved by the name of an individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. In the Privacy Act, an individual is defined as a U.S. citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, DoD has provided a report of this SORN bulk rescindment to OMB and Congress.

The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Income Based Repayment—Notifications.

OMB Control Number: 1845-0114.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved ICR.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments; Private Sector.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 958,240.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 76,665.

Abstract: The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), established the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program under Title IV, Part B. Section 493C [20 U.S.C. 1098e] of the HEA authorizes income-based repayment for Part B borrowers who have a partial financial hardship. The regulations in 34 CFR 682.215(e)(2) require notifications to borrowers from the loan holders once a borrower establishes a partial financial hardship and is placed in an income-based repayment (IBR) plan by the loan holder. The regulations identify information the loan holder must provide to the borrower to continue to participate in an IBR plan. This is a request for extension without change of the current information collection 1845-0114.

Purpose of the Committee: The Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee (Committee) was established pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 as amended by Public Law 116-260, and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. 10. The Committee is established to advise the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) with respect to the Industrial Emissions Reductions Technology Development Program (the program) by identifying and evaluating any technologies being developed by the private sector relating to the focus areas described in section 454(c) of the EISA; identifying technology gaps in the private sector or other Federal agencies in those focus areas, and making recommendations on how to address those gaps; surveying and analyzing factors that prevent the adoption of emissions reduction technologies by the private sector; and recommending technology screening criteria for technology developed under the program to encourage adoption of the technology by the private sector.

Purpose of Meeting: ITIAC will hold this meeting to continue its work toward developing a strategic plan on how to achieve the goals of the Industrial Emissions Reductions Technology Development Program, consistent with the purposes of the program described in section 454(b)(1) of the EISA, and progress towards the first Committee report .

Tentative Agenda:

• Call to Order, Introductions, Review of the Agenda

• DOE Presentations Requested by Committee

• Subcommittee Progress Updates

• Discussion on Next Steps

• Public Comment Period and Closing Remarks

• Adjourn

All attendees are requested to register in advance. The ITIAC website will be updated with instructions and links to register for the meeting: https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/industrial-technology-innovation-advisory-committee .

Public Participation: The ITIAC welcomes the attendance of the public at its meetings. Individuals who wish to offer public comments at the ITIAC meeting may do so, but must register in advance by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, October 25, 2024, by sending a written request identified by “ITIAC October 2024 Meeting,” to Dr. Zachary Pritchard at ITIAC@ee.doe.gov. Approximately 15 minutes will be reserved for public comments. Time allotted per speaker will depend on the number who wish to speak but is not expected to exceed three minutes. Anyone who is not able to attend the meeting, or for whom the allotted public comments time is insufficient to address pertinent issues with the ITIAC, is invited to send a written statement identified by “ITIAC October 2024 Meeting—Written Statement,” to Dr. Zachary Pritchard at ITIAC@ee.doe.gov.

Minutes: Minutes will be posted on the ITIAC website: https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/industrial-technology-innovation-advisory-committee. They can also be obtained by contacting ITIAC@ee.doe.gov.

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 1, 2024, by David Borak, Committee Management Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Public Law 94-163, as amended (“EPCA”), 1 authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part B of EPCA  2 established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. These products include air cleaners, the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(20))

The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of four parts: (1) testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant provisions of EPCA specifically include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6291), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296).

Under 42 U.S.C. 6295(t), DOE may grant a temporary exemption from an applicable energy conservation standard to a manufacturer if DOE finds that the annual gross revenues of such manufacturer from all its operations (including the manufacture and sale of covered products) does not exceed $8,000,000 for the 12-month period preceding the date of the application. In making this finding, DOE must account for the annual gross revenues of any other person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such manufacturer (42 U.S.C. 6295(t)(1)). The Secretary may not grant an exemption with respect to any type (or class) of covered product subject to an energy conservation standard unless the Secretary finds, after obtaining the written views of the Attorney General, that a failure to allow an exemption would likely result in a lessening of competition. (42 U.S.C. 6295(t)(2))

Subpart E of 10 CFR part 430 specifies further information regarding the purpose and process for considering applications for small business exemptions under 42 U.S.C. 6295(t). Among these requirements, 10 CFR 430.52(b) specifies that an application shall be in writing and shall include the following:

(1) Name and mailing address of applicant;

(2) Whether the applicant controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another manufacturer, and if so, the nature of that control relationship;

(3) The text or substance of the standard or portion thereof for which the exemption is sought and the length of time desired for the exemption;

(4) Information showing the annual gross revenue of the applicant for the preceding 12-month period from all of its operations (including the manufacture and sale of covered products);

(5) Information to show that failure to grant an exemption is likely to result in a lessening of competition;

(6) Such other information, if any, believed to be pertinent by the petitioner; and

(7) Such other information as the Secretary may require.

In a final determination published on July 15, 2022 (“2022 Final Determination”), DOE determined that classifying air cleaners as a covered product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that the average U.S. household energy use for air cleaners is likely to exceed 100 kWh/yr. 87 FR 42297. In that 2022 Final Determination, DOE defined air cleaners as “a product for improving indoor air quality, other than a central air conditioner, room air conditioner, portable air conditioner, dehumidifier, or furnace, that is an electrically-powered, self-contained, mechanically encased assembly that contains means to remove, destroy, or deactivate particulates, VOCs, and/or microorganisms from the air. It excludes products that operate solely by means of ultraviolet light without a fan for air circulation.” 10 CFR 430.2.

On March 6, 2023, DOE published a test procedure final rule which established a definition and test procedure for conventional room air cleaners. 88 FR 14014. DOE defines conventional room air cleaner as an air cleaner that: (1) is a portable or wall mounted (fixed) unit, excluding ceiling mounted unit, that plugs into an electrical outlet; (2) operates with a fan for air circulation; and (3) contains means to remove, destroy, and/or deactivate particulates. 10 CFR 430.2.

On August 23, 2022, DOE received a Joint Proposal from a group of joint stakeholders representing manufacturers, efficiency advocates, and consumer groups, regarding energy conservation standards and related test procedures for air cleaners. 3 The Joint Proposal specified two tiers of standard levels, with proposed compliance dates of December 31, 2023 (hereafter “Tier 1 standards”), and December 31, 2025 (hereafter “Tier 2 standards”), respectively. On April 11, 2023, DOE published a direct final rule adopting the standards and compliance dates from the Joint Proposal. These standards apply to products manufactured in, or imported into, the United States starting on December 31, 2023, for the Tier 1 standards and on December 31, 2025, for the Tier 2 standards. 88 FR 21752.

On May 27, 2024, 4 E.L. Foust Co. (“ELF”) submitted an application, pursuant to subpart E of 10 CFR part 430, requesting a small business exemption from the energy conservation standards at 10 CFR 430.32(ee). As discussed previously, there are two tiers of standards for air cleaners. Compliance with the Tier 2 standards is not required until December 31, 2025, which is the date on which the requested exemption from the December 31, 2023 Tier 1 standards would expire, if granted. As such, DOE is not considering an exemption for ELF for the Tier 2 standards at this time. To request an exemption from the Tier 2 standards, ELF will need to submit a separate application after this current application process is resolved with the current financial information available at that time and information regarding impacts on competition with respect to the Tier 2 standards.

ELF is asking for an exemption on the basis of its status as a small business. According to ELF, failure to receive a small business exemption would likely result in a lessening of competition in the market for air cleaners. ELF requested that the exemption apply for two years.

In its application, ELF referred to the market for air cleaners intended for people with multiple chemical sensitivity. Specifically, ELF stated that its air purifiers are built with zero plastic or glue to eliminate VOCs, and they offer particulate filtration. ELF claimed that larger companies do not offer these types of air cleaners, and estimated that five manufacturers, including ELF, specifically serve the market by not using plastics and glues in their air cleaners and by providing substantial gas phase filtration media. ELF stated that three of these manufacturers are based in the United States and that if DOE does not grant ELF an exemption, the market would be reduced to two U.S. manufacturers. ELF stated that the effects of the rule on those manufacturers is not known. ELF also stated that less competition in the non-plastic air cleaner market would accelerate the loss of non-plastic air cleaners and those products would become more expensive to consumers.

DOE has provided ELF's application for exemption, removing any confidential information, at the end of this notice and in the docket for this proceeding.

The notice of ELF's application for exemption will be transmitted to the Attorney General by the Secretary along with: (a) a statement of the facts and of the reasons for the exemption, and (b) copies of all documents submitted. 10 CFR 430.54.

Through this notice, DOE announces receipt of ELF's application for a small business exemption from the air cleaner energy conservation standards found in 10 CFR 430.32(ee), pursuant to subpart E of 10 CFR part 430. DOE is interested in feedback regarding whether the lack of an exemption would likely result in a lessening of competition. DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by December 6, 2024, comments and information on all aspects of the application.

ELF has not provided information regarding specific basic models that would be exempted from DOE's air cleaner energy conservation standards. Based on a review of ELF's website and marketing materials, the company offers two model lines of air cleaners—the 160 series and the 400 series. 5 The 160 series appears to be offered in three configurations, each with two particulate filter options. The 400 series includes steel frame HEPA filters. Both the 160 series and 400 series offer multiple carbon options for gas filtration. ELF has not provided information on the performance of these model lines and configurations with respect to DOE's test procedure and energy conservation standards for air cleaners.

DOE requests comment on whether a failure to allow an exemption to ELF from the Tier 1 standards would likely result in a lessening of competition. Specifically, DOE seeks information regarding the market for air cleaners serving the market for consumers with multiple chemical sensitivity, the availability of air cleaners constructed without plastics or glues, and the other manufacturers offering products serving this market. DOE requests information regarding the model lines offered by ELF and whether any similar models are available from other manufacturers that provide a similar function. DOE also requests comment on the claims made by ELF in their application, as summarized in section III of this document.

Submitting comments via www.regulations.gov. The www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.

However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your comment. If this instruction is followed, persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any documents submitted with the comments.

Do not submit to www.regulations.gov information for which disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business Information (“CBI”)). Comments submitted through www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business Information section.

DOE processes submissions made through www.regulations.gov before posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that www.regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.

Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal mail also will be posted to www.regulations.gov . If you do not want your personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact information on a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any comments.

Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies. Faxes will not be accepted.

Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that are not secured, written in English and free of any defects or viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature of the author.

Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting time.

Confidential Business Information. According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via email two well-marked copies: one copy of the document marked confidential including all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked “non-confidential” with the information believed to be confidential deleted. Submit these documents via email. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential status of the information and treat it according to its determination.

It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public docket, without change and as received, including any personal information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be exempt from public disclosure).

This document of the Department of Energy was signed on September 30, 2024, by Jeffrey Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

PCAST is an advisory group of the nation's leading scientists and engineers, appointed by the President to augment the science and technology advice available to them from the White House, cabinet departments, and other Federal agencies. See the Executive order at whitehouse.gov. PCAST is consulted on and provides analyses and recommendations concerning a wide range of issues where understanding of science, technology, and innovation may bear on the policy choices before the President. The Designated Federal Officer is Dr. Melissa A. Edwards. Information about PCAST can be found at: www.whitehouse.gov/PCAST.

PCAST may discuss and consider for approval one or more reports on topics such as the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development program, social science, and/or groundwater. Additional information and the meeting agenda, including any changes that arise, will be posted on the PCAST website at: www.whitehouse.gov/PCAST/meetings.

Public Participation: The open sessions are open to the public. The meeting will be held in a hybrid manner for members of the public. It is the policy of PCAST to accept written public comments no longer than 10 pages and to accommodate oral public comments whenever possible. PCAST expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or written statements.

The public comment period for this meeting will take place at a time specified in the meeting agenda. This public comment period is designed only for substantive commentary on PCAST's work, not for business marketing purposes.

Oral Comments: To be considered for the public speaker list at the meeting, interested parties should register to speak at PCAST@ostp.eop.gov, no later than 12 p.m. Eastern Time on October 25, 2024. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the time for public comments will be limited to two (2) minutes per person, with a total public comment period of up to 10 minutes. If more speakers register than there is space available on the agenda, PCAST will select speakers on a first-come, first-served basis from those who registered. Those not able to present oral comments may file written comments with the council.

Written Comments: Although written comments are accepted continuously, written comments should be submitted to PCAST@ostp.eop.gov no later than 12 p.m. Eastern Time on October 25, 2024, so that the comments can be made available to PCAST members for their consideration prior to this meeting.

PCAST operates under the provisions of FACA, all public comments and/or presentations will be treated as public documents and will be made available for public inspection, including being posted on the PCAST website at: www.whitehouse.gov/PCAST/meetings.

Minutes: Minutes will be available within 45 days at: www.whitehouse.gov/PCAST/meetings.

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 2, 2024, by David Borak, Committee Management Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

Commission Employee Suggestions File (FERC—20) was identified for rescindment from FERC's Privacy Act systems of records inventory because the records are not Privacy Act records. Mere maintenance of personal information about an individual is not enough to create Privacy Act system of records. To satisfy the elements of a system of records, there must be (1) group of records; (2) under the control of a Government agency; and (3) those records must be retrieved by a personal identifier. Under the Privacy Act, a record is defined as “any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency.” FERC accepts employee suggestions ad hoc during meetings or through communication with the Workforce Relations Division. The Commission is rescinding this System of Records Notice because the Program collects no individual identifiers on which searches are conducted, thereby making a System of Records Notice unnecessary.

Background: The CASAC is a chartered Federal Advisory Committee, established pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1977, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7409(d)(2), to review air quality criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and recommend to the EPA Administrator any new NAAQS and revisions of existing criteria and standards as may be appropriate. The CASAC shall also: advise the EPA Administrator of areas in which additional knowledge is required to appraise the adequacy and basis of existing, new, or revised NAAQS; describe the research efforts necessary to provide the required information; advise the EPA Administrator on the relative contribution to air pollution concentrations of natural as well as anthropogenic activity; and advise the EPA Administrator of any adverse public health, welfare, social, economic, or energy effects which may result from various strategies for attainment and maintenance of such NAAQS. Members of the CASAC constitute a distinguished body of non-EPA scientists and engineers who are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator and serve for a two to three-year term as Special Government Employees who provide independent expert advice to the agency. Additional information is available at https://casac.epa.gov.

Expertise Sought for the CASAC: As required under the CAA section 109(d), the CASAC is composed of seven members, with at least one member of the National Academy of Sciences, one physician, and one person representing state air pollution control agencies. The SAB Staff Office is seeking nominations of experts to serve on the CASAC representing state air pollution control agencies. These scientists should have expertise in one or more of the following disciplines: air quality, biostatistics, ecology, environmental engineering, epidemiology, exposure assessment, medicine, risk assessment, and toxicology. The SAB Staff Office is especially interested in scientists with expertise described above who have knowledge and experience relating to criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur oxides).

Selection Criteria for the CASAC: Nominees are selected based on their individual qualifications. Curriculum vitae should reflect the following:

As the committee undertakes specific advisory activities, the SAB Staff Office will consider two additional criteria for each new activity: absence of financial conflicts of interest and absence of an appearance of a loss of impartiality.

How to Submit Nominations: Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to this advisory committee. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominations should be submitted in electronic format (preferred) using the online nomination form under the “Nomination of Experts” category at the bottom of the CASAC home page at https://casac.epa.gov. To be considered, all nominations should include the information requested below. EPA values and welcomes diversity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of sex, race, disability or ethnicity.

The following information should be provided on the nomination form: contact information for the person making the nomination; contact information for the nominee; and the disciplinary and specific areas of expertise of the nominee. Nominees will be contacted and asked to provide additional information, including a curriculum vitae and biographical sketch (indicating current position, educational background, research activities, sources of research funding for the last two years, and recent service on other national advisory committees or national professional organizations). To help the agency evaluate the effectiveness of its outreach efforts, please indicate how you learned of this nomination opportunity. Persons having questions about the nomination process or the public comment process described below, or who are unable to submit nominations through the CASAC website, should contact the DFO, as identified above. The DFO will acknowledge receipt of nominations and will invite the nominee to provide any additional information that the nominee feels would be useful in considering the nomination, such as availability to participate as a member of the committee; how the nominee's background, skills and experience would contribute to the diversity of the committee; and any questions the nominee has regarding membership. The names and biosketches of qualified nominees identified by respondents to this Federal Register notice, and additional experts identified by the SAB Staff Office, will be posted in a List of Candidates on the CASAC website at https://casac.epa.gov. Public comments on each List of Candidates will be accepted for 21 days from the date the list is posted. The public will be requested to provide relevant information or other documentation on nominees that the SAB Staff Office should consider in evaluating candidates.

Candidates may be asked to submit the “Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency” (EPA Form 3110-48). This confidential form is required for Special Government Employees (SGEs) and allows EPA to determine whether there is a statutory conflict between that person's public responsibilities as an SGE and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a loss of impartiality, as defined by Federal regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded through the “Ethics Requirements for Advisors” link on the CASAC home page at https://casac.epa.gov. This form should not be submitted as part of a nomination.

The EPA received a petition from Darlene Ball, Rep. Tony Caplan, Diana Carpinone, James Contois, Jacquelyn Elliott, John Hurley, Margaret Hurley, Katie Lajoie, Rebecca MacKenzie, Susan Richman, Nelia Sargent, Mary Schissel, Jon Swan, John Tuthill, Cynthia Walter, and Janet Ward dated February 9, 2024, requesting that the EPA object to the issuance of operating permit no. TV-0062, issued by NH DES to Turnkey Landfill located in 176 Rochester Neck Road, Rochester, New Hampshire. On August 16, 2024, the EPA Administrator issued an order denying the petition. The order itself explains the basis for the EPA's decision.

Sections 307(b) and 505(b)(2) of the CAA provide that a petitioner may request judicial review of those portions of an order that deny issues in a petition. Any petition for review shall be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit no later than December 6, 2024.

This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through May 31, 2025. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

This notice allows 60 days for public comments. Supporting documents, which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting, are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments and information to enable it to: (i) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate forms of information technology. EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.

Abstract: The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires EPA to establish a national regulatory program to ensure that hazardous wastes are managed in a manner protective of human health and the environment. Under this program, EPA regulates newly generated hazardous wastes, as well as hazardous remediation wastes ( i.e., hazardous wastes managed during cleanup). Hazardous remediation waste management sites must comply with all parts of 40 CFR part 264 except subparts B, C, and D. In place of these requirements, they need to comply with performance standards based on the general requirement goals in these sections, which are codified at 40 CFR 264.1(j).

Under § 264.1(j), owners/operators of remediation waste management sites must develop and maintain procedures to prevent accidents. These procedures must address proper design, construction, maintenance, and operation of hazardous remediation waste management units at the site. In addition, owners/operators must develop and maintain a contingency and emergency plan to control accidents that occur. The plan must explain specifically how to treat, store, and dispose of the hazardous remediation waste in question, and must be implemented immediately whenever fire, explosion, or release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents that could threaten human health or the environment. In addition, the Remedial Action Plan streamlines the permitting process for remediation waste management sites to allow cleanups to take place more quickly.

Form Numbers: None.

Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are the private sector, as well as State, local, or Tribal governments.

Respondent's obligation to respond: mandatory (RCRA section 3004(u)).

Estimated number of respondents: 170.

Frequency of response: One-time.

Total estimated burden: 5,114 hours per year. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $348,088 (per year), which includes $294,395 in annualized labor and $53,693 in annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.

Changes in Estimates: The burden hours are likely to stay substantially the same.

EPA has published information collected under mandatory reporting requirements in 40 CFR part 84 that support the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown specified in the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 (AIM Act or Act), codified at 42 U.S.C. 7675. This includes information regarding entities' HFC allowance usage.

EPA is providing notice that the Agency has published the following data in the Protecting Our Climate by Reducing Use of HFCs web area for calendar year 2023.

Per entity:

Per facility:

By regulated HFC:

The EPA has established a first docket for the “Final Recommended Freshwater Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria and Saltwater Acute Benchmarks for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)” under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0365 and a second docket for the “Final Recommended Freshwater Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria and Saltwater Acute Benchmarks for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)” under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0366. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The Docket Center's hours of operations are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays). For further information on the EPA Docket Center services and the current status, see : https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

The “Final Recommended Freshwater Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria and Saltwater Acute Benchmarks for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)” document can be accessed on the EPA's website through the following link: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-09/pfoa-report-2024.pdf. The “Final Recommended Freshwater Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria and Saltwater Acute Benchmarks for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)” document can be accessed on the EPA's website through the following link: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-09/pfos-report-2024.pdf. The “Final Acute Freshwater Aquatic Life Benchmarks for Eight Data-Limited PFAS: PFBA, PFHxA, PFNA, PFDA, PFBS, PFHxS, 8:2 FTUCA, and 7:3 FTCA” document can be accessed on the EPA's website through the following link: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-09/pfas-report-2024.pdf.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made organic chemical compounds composed of a carbon chain bound to multiple fluorine atoms. PFAS have been manufactured and used by a broad range of industries since the 1940s, and there are estimated to be thousands of PFAS present in the global marketplace that are used in a range of commercial and industrial products. PFOA and PFOS are two of the most widely used and studied chemicals in the PFAS group. PFAS are not naturally occurring and have no biologically important functions or beneficial properties to aquatic life. PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, can persist in the environment and have been detected in U.S. rivers, lakes, and streams. At elevated concentrations, PFAS can be toxic to fish and other aquatic species.

CWA section 304(a) directs the EPA to develop and publish water quality criteria that reflect the latest scientific knowledge. The EPA develops national recommended ambient water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life based on the highest numeric concentrations of pollutants, with specific recommendations on the duration and frequency of those concentrations, that are protective of aquatic ecosystems as a whole. The EPA's section 304(a)(1) criteria recommendations generally follow the Guidelines methods ( Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses ), which recommend toxicity data for a minimum of eight families of aquatic animals be used in developing aquatic life criteria to ensure criteria will protect aquatic ecosystems as a whole. Water quality criteria are based solely on data and scientific judgments about the relationship between pollutant concentrations and potential environmental effects. The EPA's recommended water quality criteria are not regulatory, nor do they automatically become part of a State's water quality standards. States must adopt into their standards water quality criteria that protect the designated uses of their water bodies. States can establish water quality criteria based on the EPA's recommended criteria, modify recommended criteria to reflect site-specific conditions, or develop proposed standards using on other scientifically defensible methods. A State's or Tribe's water quality criteria are not legally effective under the Clean Water Act until they have been adopted into a State's or Tribe's water quality standards and are approved by the EPA.

Aquatic life benchmarks, developed under section 304(a)(2) of the CWA, are informational values that the EPA generates when there are limited high quality toxicity data available and data gaps exist for several aquatic organism families. The EPA develops aquatic life benchmarks to provide information that States and Tribes may consider in their water quality protection programs. In developing aquatic life benchmarks, data gaps may be filled using new approach methods (NAMs), such as computer-based toxicity estimation tools ( e.g., EPA's Web-ICE; Version 3.3; https://www.epa.gov/webice/ ) or other new approach methods intended to reduce reliance on additional animal testing ( https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/epa-new-approach-methods-work-plan-reducing-use-vertebrate-animals-chemical ), including the use of read-across estimates based on other chemicals with similar structures. The EPA's aquatic life benchmark values are not regulatory, nor do they automatically become part of a State's water quality standards.

The EPA has developed separate PFOA and PFOS criteria to protect aquatic life from the effects of these individual chemicals. The EPA developed these final recommended aquatic life ambient water quality criteria following the general approach outlined in the EPA's Guidelines. 1 The EPA developed the final PFOA and PFOS recommended criteria to protect aquatic life designated uses established for freshwaters. The final criteria documents contain acute and chronic water column criteria for freshwaters (see Table 1 of this document). Acute criteria protect aquatic species from short-term exposures to high pollutant concentrations while chronic criteria protect aquatic species from long-term and repeated pollutant exposures. The final criteria also contain chronic criteria expressed as PFOA and PFOS concentrations in fish muscle tissue, fish whole-body tissue, and in invertebrate tissue (see Table 1 of this document). Many States and Tribes measure PFAS in fish tissues and these tissue-based criteria values allow States and Tribes to assess the health of fish and invertebrates in their freshwaters. The chronic freshwater and chronic fish/invertebrate tissue-based criteria for both chemicals are intended to be independently applicable and no one criterion takes primacy.

The PFOA and PFOS criteria establish maximum concentrations ( i.e., magnitude component), averaged over a given time period ( i.e., duration component), that if not exceeded more than the allowable number of times during a specified time period ( i.e., frequency component), are expected to protect aquatic ecosystems as a whole. The duration components of criteria are set to be substantially shorter than the length of toxicity tests used to derive the criteria magnitude and restrict allowable fluctuations in pollutant concentrations over time. The frequency components of aquatic life criteria ensure aquatic communities have adequate time to recover following a criteria exceedance event. The EPA's final recommended PFOA and PFOS criteria magnitudes combined with the associated duration and frequency components are expected to protect fish and other aquatic species in freshwaters (see Table 1).

Data limitations did not allow for derivation of PFOA or PFOS national recommended water quality criteria to protect saltwater organisms. Therefore, the EPA derived PFOA and PFOS aquatic life benchmark values under section 304(a)(2) of the CWA using the best available data on the effects of PFOA and PFOS to provide information that States and Tribes may consider in their water quality protection programs. These benchmark values are based solely on data and scientific judgments about the relationship between pollutant concentrations and potential environmental effects. Like national recommended water quality criteria, the EPA's acute PFOA and PFOS aquatic life benchmark values for saltwater are nonbinding and nonregulatory.

The EPA derived acute saltwater benchmarks using available toxicity data on PFOA and PFOS, supplemented with data estimated using the EPA's Web-ICE tool. With data gaps addressed using both laboratory and estimated toxicity test data, the acute saltwater benchmarks for PFOA and PFOS were calculated following methods outline in the EPA's Guidelines. 1 The EPA's acute saltwater benchmarks for PFOA and PFOS values are the maximum concentrations of these PFOA and PFOS (individually, not in mixture), with associated frequency and duration specifications, that are expected to support protection of aquatic life from acute effects in saltwater (see Table 2).

Toxicity data to support benchmarks for these eight PFAS benchmarks were limited relative to the data requirements traditionally used to develop aquatic life criteria. Therefore, the EPA derived PFAS aquatic life benchmark values under section 304(a)(2) of the CWA using the best available data on the effects of these PFAS to provide information that States and Tribes may consider in their water quality protection programs. These benchmark values are based solely on data and scientific judgments about the relationship between pollutant concentrations and potential environmental effects. Like national recommended water quality criteria, the EPA's eight separate acute aquatic life benchmark values for eight different data-limited PFAS in freshwater are nonbinding and nonregulatory.

Compared to PFOA and PFOS, acute freshwater data were more limited for these eight PFAS that the EPA evaluated. The EPA developed the benchmarks by using the available laboratory-based data on the effects of those chemicals on freshwater organisms, supplemented with data estimated using the EPA's Web-ICE tool, following the same peer-reviewed approach applied in development of the acute saltwater benchmarks for PFOA and PFOS. With data gaps addressed using both laboratory and estimated toxicity test data, the acute benchmarks for these eight PFAS were calculated following methods outline in the EPA's Guidelines. 1

The EPA's acute freshwater benchmark values are the maximum concentrations of these PFAS (individually, not in mixture), with associated frequency and duration specifications, that are expected to support protection of aquatic life from acute effects in freshwaters (see Table 2 of this document). These acute benchmarks for these eight PFAS (Table 3) provide information for States and Tribes to consider as protective values in their water quality protection programs.