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Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Direct final rule.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System listing within the “List of approved spent fuel storage casks” to include Amendment No. 9 and revise Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1025. The addition of Amendment No. 9 and the revisions to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 amend the description of the vertical concrete cask (VCC) in the CoC and technical specifications to make a distinction between the VCC body and the VCC lid, in terms of applicability of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Specifications ACI 349 and ACI 318.
This direct final rule is effective May 13, 2025, unless significant adverse comments are received by March 31, 2025. If this direct final rule is withdrawn as a result of such comments, timely notice of the withdrawal will be published in the
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID NRC-2024-0200, at
You can read a plain language description of this direct final rule at
Kristina Banovac, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards; telephone: 301-415-7116, email:
Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2024-0200 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain publicly available information related to this action by any of the following methods:
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•
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The NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the Federal rulemaking website (
The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at
If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment
This rule is limited to the changes contained in Amendment No. 9 and the revision to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to CoC No. 1025 and does not include other aspects of the NAC-MPC System design. The NRC is using the “direct final rule procedure” to issue this amendment because it represents a limited and routine change to an existing certificate of compliance that is expected to be non-controversial. Adequate protection of public health and safety continues to be reasonably assured. The amendment to the rule will become effective on May 13, 2025. However, if the NRC receives any significant adverse comment on this direct final rule by March 31, 2025, then the NRC will publish a document that withdraws this action and will subsequently address the comments received in a final rule as a response to the companion proposed rule published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the
A significant adverse comment is a comment where the commenter explains why the rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. A comment is adverse and significant if:
(1) The comment opposes the rule and provides a reason sufficient to require a substantive response in a notice-and-comment process. For example, a substantive response is required when:
(a) The comment causes the NRC to reevaluate (or reconsider) its position or conduct additional analysis;
(b) The comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a substantive response to clarify or complete the record; or
(c) The comment raises a relevant issue that was not previously addressed or considered by the NRC.
(2) The comment proposes a change or an addition to the rule, and it is apparent that the rule would be ineffective or unacceptable without incorporation of the change or addition.
(3) The comment causes the NRC to make a change (other than editorial) to the rule, certificate of compliance, or technical specifications.
Section 218(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, requires that “[t]he Secretary [of the Department of Energy] shall establish a demonstration program, in cooperation with the private sector, for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel at civilian nuclear power reactor sites, with the objective of establishing one or more technologies that the [Nuclear Regulatory] Commission may, by rule, approve for use at the sites of civilian nuclear power reactors without, to the maximum extent practicable, the need for additional site-specific approvals by the Commission.” Section 133 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act states, in part, that “[t]he Commission shall, by rule, establish procedures for the licensing of any technology approved by the Commission under Section 219(a) [sic: 218(a)] for use at the site of any civilian nuclear power reactor.”
To implement this mandate, the Commission approved dry storage of spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved casks under a general license by publishing a final rule that added a new subpart K in part 72 of title 10 of the
On September 7, 2023 (ML23250A056), NAC International, Inc. submitted a request to the NRC to amend CoC No. 1025. NAC International, Inc. supplemented its request on the following dates: February 14, 2024 (ML24040A027), May 14, 2024 (ML24135A322), July 10, 2024 (ML24193A110), and August 27, 2024 (ML24240A133). The addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 revises the renewed CoC to:
• Revise the NAC-MPC system description in the CoC to distinguish between the VCC body and VCC lid and clearly indicate that only the VCC body is a reinforced concrete structure.
• Revise the CoC appendix A (Appendix A, “Technical Specifications”) definitions, by revising the definition of VCC, and adding a new definition for VCC lid.
• Revise the CoC appendix B (Appendix B, “Approved Contents and Design Features”), Section 3.3, “Codes and Standards” to indicate that the ACI 349 and ACI 318 govern the design and construction only of the VCC body. New text is added to provide the fabrication requirements for the concrete in the VCC lid to include:
• Correct conflicting information in the final safety analysis report design bases regarding the minimum concrete density in the VCC lid, to indicate a minimum concrete density of 140 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) and revise the shielding analysis and calculation to reflect the 140 pcf concrete density.
The changes to the aforementioned documents are identified with revisions bars in the margin of each document.
As documented in the preliminary safety evaluation report, the NRC performed a safety evaluation of the proposed certificate of compliance amendment request. The NRC determined that this amendment does not reflect a significant change in design or fabrication of the cask. Specifically, the NRC determined that the design of the cask would continue to maintain confinement, shielding, and criticality control in the event of each evaluated accident condition. In addition, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite dose rates from the addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 would remain well within the limits specified by 10 CFR part 20, “Standards for Protection Against Radiation.” Thus, the NRC found there will be no significant change in the types or amounts of any effluent released, no significant increase in the individual or cumulative radiation exposure, and no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
The NRC staff determined that the amended NAC-MPC system design, when used under the conditions specified in the CoC, the technical specifications, and the NRC's regulations, will meet the requirements of 10 CFR part 72; therefore, adequate protection of public health and safety will continue to be reasonably assured. When this direct final rule becomes
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113) requires that Federal agencies use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies unless the use of such a standard is inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. In this direct final rule, the NRC revises the NAC-MPC system design listed in § 72.214, “List of approved spent fuel storage casks.” This action does not constitute the establishment of a standard that contains generally applicable requirements.
Under the “Agreement State Program Policy Statement” approved by the Commission on October 2, 2017, and published in the
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-274) requires Federal agencies to write documents in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner. The NRC has written this document to be consistent with the Plain Writing Act as well as the Presidential Memorandum, “Plain Language in Government Writing,” published June 10, 1998 (63 FR 31885).
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the NRC's regulations in 10 CFR part 51, “Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions,” the NRC has determined that this direct final rule, if adopted, would not be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and, therefore, an environmental impact statement is not required. The NRC has made a finding of no significant impact based on this environmental assessment.
The action is to amend § 72.214 to revise the NAC-MPC system listing within the “List of approved spent fuel storage casks” to add Amendment No. 9 and revise Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1025.
This direct final rule amends the certificate of compliance for the NAC-MPC system design within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks to allow power reactor licensees to store spent fuel at reactor sites in casks with the approved modifications under a general license. Specifically, addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 revises the CoC to:
• Revise the NAC-MPC system description in the CoC to distinguish between the VCC body and VCC lid and clearly indicate that only the VCC body is a reinforced concrete structure.
• Revise the CoC appendix A (Appendix A, “Technical Specifications”) definitions, by revising the definition of VCC, and adding a new definition for VCC lid.
• Revise the CoC appendix B (Appendix B, “Approved Contents and Design Features”), Section 3.3, “Codes and Standards” to indicate that the ACI 349 and ACI 318 govern the design and construction only of the VCC body. New text is added to provide the fabrication requirements for the concrete in the VCC lid to include:
• Correct conflicting information in the final safety analysis report design bases regarding the minimum concrete density in the VCC lid, to indicate a minimum concrete density of 140 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) and revise the shielding analysis and calculation to reflect the 140 pcf concrete density.
On July 18,1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent fuel under a general license in cask designs approved by the NRC. The potential environmental impact of using NRC-approved storage casks was analyzed in the environmental assessment for the 1990 final rule. The environmental assessment for this addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 tiers from the environmental assessment for the July 18, 1990 final rule. Tiering on past environmental assessments is a standard process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
The NAC-MPC system is designed to mitigate the effects of design basis accidents that could occur during storage. Design basis accidents account for human-induced events and the most severe natural phenomena reported for the site and surrounding area. Postulated accidents analyzed for an independent spent fuel storage installation, the type of facility at which a holder of a power reactor operating license would store spent fuel in casks in accordance with 10 CFR part 72, can include tornado winds and tornado-generated missiles, a design basis earthquake, a design basis flood, an accidental cask drop, lightning effects, fire, explosions, and other incidents.
This amendment does not reflect a significant change in design or fabrication of the cask. Because there are no significant design or process changes, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite dose rates from the implementation of the addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 would remain well within the 10 CFR part 20 limits. The NRC has also determined that the design of the cask as modified by this rule would maintain confinement, shielding, and criticality control in the event of an accident. Therefore, the proposed changes will not result in any radiological or non-radiological environmental impacts that significantly differ from the environmental impacts evaluated in the environmental assessment supporting the July 18, 1990 final rule. There will be no significant change in the types or significant revisions in the amounts of any effluent released, no significant increase in the individual or cumulative radiation exposures, and no significant increase in the potential for, or consequences from, radiological accidents. The NRC documented its safety findings in the preliminary safety evaluation report.
The alternative to this action is to deny approval of the addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 and not issue the direct final rule. Consequently, any 10 CFR part 72 general licensee that seeks to load spent nuclear fuel into
Approval of the addition of Amendment No. 9 and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to CoC No. 1025 would result in no irreversible and irretrievable commitments of Federal resources.
No agencies or persons outside the NRC were contacted in connection with the preparation of this environmental assessment.
The environmental impacts of the action have been reviewed under the requirements in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the NRC's regulations in subpart A of 10 CFR part 51, “Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.” Based on the foregoing environmental assessment, the NRC concludes that this direct final rule, “NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1025, Amendment No. 9, and Revision to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8,” will not have a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, the NRC has determined that an environmental impact statement is not necessary for this direct final rule.
This direct final rule does not contain any new or amended collections of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a request for information or an information collection requirement unless the requesting document displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number.
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the NRC certifies that this direct final rule will not, if issued, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This direct final rule affects only nuclear power plant licensees and NAC International, Inc. These entities do not fall within the scope of the definition of small entities set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the size standards established by the NRC (§ 2.810).
On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent nuclear fuel under a general license in cask designs approved by the NRC. Any nuclear power reactor licensee can use NRC-approved cask designs to store spent nuclear fuel if (1) it notifies the NRC in advance; (2) the spent fuel is stored under the conditions specified in the cask's CoC; and (3) the conditions of the general license are met. A list of NRC-approved cask designs is contained in § 72.214. On March 9, 2000 (65 FR 12444), the NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR part 72 that approved the NAC-MPC system by adding it to the list of NRC-approved cask designs in § 72.214.
On September 7, 2023 (ML23250A056), and as supplemented on February 14, 2024 (ML24040A027), May 14, 2024 (ML24135A322), July 10, 2024 (ML24193A110), and August 27, 2024 (ML24240A133), NAC International, Inc. submitted a request to amend the NAC-MPC system as described in Section IV, “Discussion of Changes,” of this document.
The alternative to this action is to withhold approval of the addition of Amendment No. 9, and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 and to require any 10 CFR part 72 general licensee seeking to load spent nuclear fuel into the NAC-MPC system, CoC No. 1025, under the changes described in the addition of Amendment No. 9, and revision of Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8, to request an exemption from the requirements of §§ 72.212 and 72.214. Under this alternative, each interested 10 CFR part 72 licensee would have to prepare, and the NRC would have to review, a separate exemption request, thereby increasing the administrative burden upon the NRC and the costs to each licensee.
Approval of this direct final rule is consistent with previous NRC actions. Further, as documented in the preliminary safety evaluation report and environmental assessment, this direct final rule will have no adverse effect on public health and safety or the environment. This direct final rule has no significant identifiable impact or benefit on other government agencies. Based on this regulatory analysis, the NRC concludes that the requirements of this direct final rule are commensurate with the NRC's responsibilities for public health and safety and the common defense and security. No other available alternative is believed to be as satisfactory; therefore, this action is recommended.
General licensees using the specific CoC amendments that are being revised are required to meet the conditions of the revised CoC. The NRC added a condition to the revised CoC that requires the general licensees to implement the revised CoC within six months and perform written evaluations in accordance with 10 CFR 72.212(b)(5), which establish that the cask will conform to the terms, conditions, and specifications of the revised CoC. The six-month timeframe in the condition is considered a standard timeframe for implementation, consistent with the information in Regulatory Issue Summary 2017-05, “Administration of 10 CFR Part 72 Certificate of Compliance Corrections and Revisions.” Additionally, the implementation timeframe was recognized by the applicant and the general licensees using these amendments (ML23250A056 and ML24193A110).
For the following reasons, the NRC has determined that the regulations in 10 CFR 72.62, “Backfitting,” do not apply to this direct final rule. This direct final rule revises Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 for renewed CoC No. 1025 for the NAC-MPC System, as currently listed in 10 CFR 72.214, “List of approved spent fuel storage casks.” Revision 1 to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to renewed CoC No. 1025 revises the NAC-MPC system description to distinguish between the VCC body and VCC lid, revise the definition of VCC and add a new definition for VCC lid, and add new fabrication requirements for the concrete in the VCC lid.
NAC International, Inc. has manufactured casks under existing CoC No. 1025, Amendment Nos. 6, 7, or 8, that are being revised by this final rule. As the vendor, NAC International, Inc. is not within the scope of the backfitting provisions in 10 CFR 72.62.
Under 10 CFR 72.62, general licensees are entities that are within the scope of the backfitting regulations. However, according to NAC International, Inc. (ML24193A110), no general licensees are currently storing NAC-MPC systems under CoC No. 1025, Amendment No. 6, which is, in part, the subject of these revisions. Therefore, because CoC No. 1025, Amendment No. 6 is not in use by a licensee, the changes in the revision to CoC No. 1025, Amendment No. 6, which are approved in this direct final rule do not fall within the definition of backfitting under 10 CFR 72.62.
Dairyland Power Cooperative at its La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) is the only general licensee using Amendment No. 7 that could be affected by the issuance of Revision 1 to Amendment No. 7. In its letters to NAC (ML23250A056 and ML24193A110), Dairyland Power Cooperative stated that it intends to implement the revision to Amendment No. 7, as soon as practical after it is issued, and noted that all previously fabricated systems on site will be recertified to the adopted amendment revision. Because the licensee voluntarily intends to implement the revision, the issuance of Revision 1 to Amendment No. 7 does not fall within the definition of backfitting under 10 CFR 72.62.
Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company at its Haddam Neck Plant ISFSI and Yankee Atomic Electric Company at its Yankee Nuclear Power Station ISFSI are the two general licensees using Amendment No. 8 that could be affected by the issuance of Revision 1 to Amendment No. 8. In its letter to NAC (ML23250A056), Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company stated that it intends to adopt Revision 1 to Amendment No. 8 following NRC approval and issuance. Yankee Atomic Electric Company also stated in its letter (ML23250A056) that it intends to adopt Revision 1 to Amendment No. 8 following NRC approval and issuance. The licensees noted that the proposed changes do not directly impact the Haddam Neck Plant ISFSI and Yankee Nuclear Power Station ISFSI, because the sites utilize solid carbon steel lids for the VCCs they store. Because both licensees voluntarily intend to implement the revision, issuance of Revision 1 to Amendment No. 8 does not fall within the definition of backfitting under 10 CFR 72.62.
This direct final rule is not a rule as defined in the Congressional Review Act.
The documents identified in the following table are available to interested persons as indicated.
The NRC may post materials related to this document, including public comments, on the Federal rulemaking website at
Administrative practice and procedure, Hazardous waste, Indians, Intergovernmental relations, Nuclear energy, Penalties, Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Spent fuel, Whistleblowing.
For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended; the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended; and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553; the NRC is adopting the following amendments to 10 CFR part 72:
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 51, 53, 57, 62, 63, 65, 69, 81, 161, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 189, 223, 234, 274 (42 U.S.C. 2071, 2073, 2077, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2201, 2210e, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2273, 2282, 2021); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332); Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, secs. 117(a), 132, 133, 134, 135, 137, 141, 145(g), 148, 218(a) (42 U.S.C. 10137(a), 10152, 10153, 10154, 10155, 10157, 10161, 10165(g), 10168, 10198(a)); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Final rule; correction.
This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the
Effective date 0901 UTC, April 17, 2025. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.
FAA Order 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at
Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-8783.
The FAA published a final rule in the
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, in Docket No. FAA-2024-1157 as published in the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.
Final rule.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission amends its regulations to incorporate by reference, with certain exceptions, the latest version (Version 004) of the Standards for Business Practices and Communication Protocols for Public Utilities adopted by the Wholesale Electric Quadrant (WEQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB). The revisions made by NAESB in the WEQ Version 004 standards are designed to aid public utilities with the consistent and uniform implementation of requirements promulgated by the Commission as part of the
John O. Sillin (Technical Issues), Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6548,
1. In this final rule, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) amends its regulation at 18 CFR 2.27 and 38.1(b) to incorporate by reference, with certain exceptions, the latest version (Version 004) of the Standards for Business Practices and Communication Protocols for Public Utilities adopted by the Wholesale Electric Quadrant (WEQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) (WEQ Version 004 Standards) applicable to the wholesale electric industry. This final rule requires public utilities whose tariffs do not automatically incorporate by reference all new NAESB standards without modification to submit compliance filings to comply with the requirements in the final rule no later than June 27, 2025. Public utilities must implement the cybersecurity standards in WEQ Version 004 by February 27, 2026. Public utilities must implement the remainder of the standards in WEQ Version 004 adopted in this final rule by August 27, 2026.
2. The implementation of these standards will promote greater efficiency and reliability of public utilities' operations and consolidate and strengthen cybersecurity protections provided within the NAESB standards.
3. NAESB is an American National Standards Institute-accredited, non-profit standards development organization formed for the purpose of developing voluntary standards and model business practices that promote more competitive and efficient natural gas and electric markets.
4. Since 2006, in the Order No. 676 series of orders,
5. The WEQ Version 004 Standards will replace the currently incorporated versions (Version 003.3) of those business practice standards.
6. On July 31, 2023, NAESB filed a report informing the Commission (Informational Report) that it had approved and published the WEQ Version 004 Standards. The WEQ Version 004 Standards include newly created standards, as well as modifications to existing standards, developed through the NAESB standards development process. The WEQ Version 004 Standards build upon the WEQ Version 003.3 Standards and include standards developed in response to the directives from Order Nos. 676-I and 676-J,
7. The Informational Report includes an overview of all standard additions, modifications, and reservations applied to Version 004 of the WEQ Business Practice Standards and summarizes the deliberations that led to the changes. It also identifies changes to the existing standards that were considered but not adopted.
8. On April 25, 2024, the Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference, with certain enumerated exceptions, the WEQ Version 004 Standards applicable to public utilities.
9. On July 2, 2024, Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power) submitted comments on the NOPR noting three discrepancies between the Version Notes for the WEQ Version 004 Standards and the noticed WEQ Version 004 Standards, which it asserts require correction.
10. On July 5, 2024, in response to Idaho Power's comments, NAESB proposed to its members Minor Correction MC24004 (Minor Correction) and identified publication errors that did not impact standards language.
11. To address Idaho Power's other concerns, NAESB states that WEQ Version 004—WEQ-002-101.2.10.3.3 and WEQ-002-101.2.10.3.4—were ordered incorrectly and also notes that the WEQ Version 004 Notes for the changes made to WEQ-001-24.2.4 mistakenly omitted that “not” was deleted from the standard. NAESB further states that as these changes do not modify standards language, a minor correction is not needed, and it has taken administrative action to correct the errors.
12. We adopt the NOPR proposal to amend Commission regulations at 18 CFR 2.27 and 38.1(b) to incorporate by reference, with certain enumerated exceptions, the WEQ Version 004 Standards. The Commission is incorporating by reference into the Commission's regulations at 18 CFR 38.1(b) the WEQ Version 004 Standards, with certain enumerated exceptions, which include modifications, reservations, and/or additions to the following set of existing standards that the Commission previously incorporated by reference, as well as one new standard (WEQ-024) relating to cyber-security:
13. The request for clarification presented by Idaho Power with regard to WEQ-001-24.2.4 has been addressed via NAESB Minor Correction MC24004. We are incorporating this revision.
14. Consistent with its past practice, as discussed further below, the Commission is not incorporating by reference WEQ-010 Contracts Related Business Practice Standards, WEQ-025 Grid Services Supporting Wholesale Electric Interactions, the WEQ-009 Standards of Conduct for Electric Transmission Providers, and the WEQ-014 WEQ/WGQ eTariff Related Business Practice Standards.
15. The WEQ Version 004 Standards include standards that were unchanged from previous Version 003.3 standards incorporated by reference: WEQ-007 Inadvertent Interchange Payback Business Practice Standards and WEQ-011, Gas/Electric Coordination. Likewise, the WEQ Version 004 Standards include standards that were unchanged from the previous Version 003.3 standards previously included in Commission regulations as non-mandatory guidance: WEQ-016, Specifications for Common Electricity Product and Pricing Definition; WEQ-017, Specifications for Common Schedule Communication Mechanism for Energy Transactions; WEQ-018, Specifications for Wholesale Standard Demand Response Signals; WEQ-019, Customer Energy Usage Information Communication; and WEQ-020, Smart Grid Standards Data Element Table.
16. The following section summarizes the NAESB standards that the Commission is incorporating by reference in this final rule. The standards are further described in section VI.
17. The WEQ Version 004 Standards contain modifications, prompted by directives in Order Nos. 676-I and 676-J and related industry-submitted standards requests, related to standards for redirection of transmission service, time error correction, and contract path management. Collectively, the revisions are designed to increase flexibility for transmission providers so they can maximize use of the transmission system while still preventing the provision of firm transmission service that exceeds transfer capability.
18. NAESB revised the WEQ-001, WEQ-003, and WEQ-013 standards to provide greater specificity regarding the transmission service reservation process that applies to redirection of transmission service (redirects) on a firm and non-firm basis.
19. NAESB revised WEQ-006 Manual Time Error Correction Business Practice Standards to address commercial requirements for entities calling for manual time error corrections in accordance with the NERC Time Monitoring Reference Document Version 5.
20. NAESB modified the WEQ-023 Modeling Business Practice Standards to allow the contract path limit to be exceeded for a certain period of time prior to the start of flow.
21. In addition to proposing a new set of standards, WEQ-024 Cybersecurity Business Practice Standards, NAESB made modifications to WEQ-012 to support the issuance of server-side or transport layer security certificates by NAESB Authorized Certification Authorities (ACA).
22. The modifications to WEQ-012 standards incorporate best industry practices regarding the issuance of server-side or transport layer security server certificates by a certificate authority and allow a NAESB ACA to issue code-signing certificates that can be used to verify software and other executables in support of the NERC CIP-010 Security—Configuration Change Management and Vulnerability Assessments Reliability Standard.
23. WEQ Version 004 Standards include revisions to the NAESB standards to complement the NERC Reliability Standards, including modifications to be consistent with the NERC Glossary. The changes were made to provide further clarity on the incorporation of jointly owned units into the Area Control Error (ACE) equation and to ensure consistency in the use of terminology between the WEQ Business Practice Standards and the NERC Dynamic Transfer Reference Document, which provides reliability guidance on the use of pseudo-ties and dynamic schedules in a balancing authority's ACE equations.
24. In addition to the OASIS modifications referenced previously, NAESB completed nine final actions modifying the OASIS suite of Business Practice Standards.
25. NAESB developed modifications to the WEQ OASIS suite of Business Practice Standards to address the eligibility and treatment of rollover rights
26. Several modifications were made to WEQ-002 and WEQ-003 to give users the ability to submit specific lists of variables associated with NITS as part of the query/response functionality in OASIS templates.
27. Modifications were made to WEQ-001 to provide greater consistency between the standards language included in WEQ-001-9.2 and WEQ-001-9.4.3 and WEQ-001-B Appendix B—Redirect Business Practice Standards Examples.
28. NAESB revised WEQ-002, WEQ-003, and WEQ-013 to establish a mechanism that enables OASIS node users to identify—in a single location—all service modifications made to an original transmission service request reservation.
29. NAESB developed modifications to WEQ-001 to better support transmission service posting requirements, included as part of 18 CFR 37.6, by adding specificity regarding the treatment of consolidations of transmission service requests. The revisions to the standards are designed to ensure parity between consolidated and non-consolidated transmission service requests and to eliminate the potential for a service increment to be created through consolidation that would otherwise be unavailable under a transmission provider's existing tariff processes.
30. NAESB modified WEQ-001 by modifying Table 25-3, Priorities for Competing Reservations or Requests, to better describe how a competition is conducted between a firm transmission service request and a previously queued non-firm request or reservation.
31. To extend response times for some functions to account for human performance, NAESB modified the timing tables included in WEQ-001-4.13, WEQ-001-25.1.8, and WEQ-001-105.1.5 to extend specific timing criteria for instances in which systems are not fully automated. These changes will be available for transmission providers and operators who do not have automated systems for responding to transmission service requests and will extend timing requirements that are deemed unreasonably strict for non-automated implementations.
32. NAESB modified the WEQ OASIS suite of Business Practice Standards to provide greater clarity for transmission customers on which redirect requests would qualify for the conveyance of rollover rights. As part of the revisions, transmission customers are required to explicitly indicate their intent to convey rollover rights to the redirect path by expressly opting-in or opting-out of the conveyance, eliminating the possibility that rollover rights could be unintentionally redirected.
33. NAESB revised the WEQ OASIS suite of Business Practice Standards to improve efficiencies by creating a tracking and audit mechanism for transmission service reservations that allows transmission providers and customers to easily assess changes that occur as a result of the preemption and right-of-first-refusal process.
34. NAESB revised the WEQ-004 Coordinate Interchange Business Practice Standards to promote efficiency by streamlining the procedures that entities should follow in the event of a system failure of the primary communication method used to manage interchange transactions—electronic tags (e-Tags).
35. NAESB also modified the WEQ-000 and WEQ-004 standards. The revisions add a new appendix to WEQ-004 to provide guidance and best practices to entities in the Eastern Interconnection that automate the net scheduled interchange checkout process.
36. In addition to the consistency changes described above regarding WEQ-000, the WEQ Version 004 Standards publication includes a new cross-reference column displaying the abbreviations, acronyms, and definition of terms with their corresponding NAESB WEQ Standards. Additional changes to ensure consistency in the use of abbreviations, acronyms, and defined terms were made to the WEQ OASIS Suite of Standards, WEQ-004 Coordinate Interchange Business Practice Standards, WEQ-008 TLR—Eastern Interconnection Business Practice Standards, WEQ-012 PKI Business Practice Standards, WEQ-022 Electric Industry Registry (EIR) Business Practice Standards, and WEQ-023 Modeling Business Practice Standards.
37. Since the publication of WEQ Version 003.3 standards, NAESB processed ten minor corrections applicable to the WEQ Business Practice Standards through its Minor Correction Process and incorporated them into the WEQ Version 004 Standard. The Commission also is incorporating by reference WEQ-001,Version 004, which includes Minor Correction MC24004 to standard WEQ-001-24.2.4 approved by the WEQ on August 9, 2024, as discussed above.
38. In the WEQ Version 004 Standards, NAESB established a new set of cybersecurity-related business practice standards in WEQ-024. This new set of standards reorganizes existing NAESB cybersecurity business practice standards into a new suite of NAESB standards. NAESB made this change in response to an informal recommendation from the DOE and Sandia Labs that arose from the 2019 Surety Assessment of cybersecurity elements contained in the NAESB Business Practice Standards.
39. This final rule adopts the NOPR proposal to decline to incorporate by reference WEQ-009, WEQ-010, WEQ-014, and WEQ-025.
40. Declining to adopt WEQ-010 is consistent with our past practice of not incorporating by reference into our regulations any optional model contracts and related documents because we do not require the use of such contracts.
41. As stated in the NOPR, although we support NAESB's standards development for grid services, we decline to incorporate the WEQ-025 standards. We note that the proposed NAESB standards use terms that are similar to, but different from, terms in the
42. Additionally, we decline to incorporate by reference the WEQ-009 Standards of Conduct for Electric Transmission Providers, which NAESB has eliminated as they duplicate the Commission's regulations. We also decline to incorporate by reference the WEQ-014 WEQ/WGQ eTariff Related Business Practice Standards, which provide an implementation guide describing the various mechanisms, data tables, code values/reference tables, and technical specifications used in the submission of electronic tariff filings to the Commission, because such submissions are governed by the Commission's eTariff regulations.
43. In the NOPR, the Commission proposed that public utilities
44. We adopt the proposed implementation procedures in the NOPR with one modification. We direct
45. To reflect the staggered implementation schedule, public utilities whose tariffs do not automatically incorporate by reference all new NAESB standards without modification must submit a single compliance filing that includes two separate tariff records in eTariff to comply with the requirements of this final rule.
46. In their compliance filings, public utilities must specify in the tariff records a list of all the NAESB standards incorporated by reference by the Commission, and also must include: (a) whether the standard is incorporated by reference by the public utility; (b) for those standards not incorporated by reference, the tariff provision that complies with the standard; and (c) a statement identifying any standards for which the public utility has been granted a waiver, extension of time, or other variance with respect to compliance with the standard.
47. In such a compliance filing, a public utility that makes any new waiver requests to comply with a part of the final rule or that makes any request to preserve any existing waivers must include such requests in its compliance filing. We encourage public utilities with waiver requests to submit their compliance filings early. Public utilities that are granted new or continued waiver(s) of any WEQ Version 004 standard(s) must make a second compliance filing to include the citation to the Commission order granting the waiver(s) of the relevant WEQ Version 004 standards no later than sixty (60) days after the waiver(s) are granted.
48. Those public utilities who have previously revised their tariffs to incorporate the complete set of NAESB standards without modification must implement: (1) the NAESB cybersecurity standards in WEQ Version 004 12 months after the date of publication of the final rule in the
49. Public utilities that now wish to comply with the final rule by incorporating the complete set of NAESB standards into their tariffs without modification may do so by submitting compliance filings that include the following language in their tariffs: “The current versions of the NAESB WEQ Business Practice Standards incorporated by reference into the Commission's regulations as specified in Part 38 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR Part 38) are incorporated by reference into this tariff.”
50. Public utilities that submit this compliance filing to incorporate the complete set of NAESB standards into their tariffs without modification and public utilities that have previously incorporated the complete set of NAESB standards into their tariffs without modification must implement: (1) the NAESB cybersecurity standards in WEQ Version 004 12 months after the date of publication of the final rule in the
51. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119 (section 11) (Feb. 10, 1998) provides that when a Federal agency issues or revises a regulation containing a standard, the agency should publish a statement in the final rule stating whether the adopted standard is a voluntary consensus standard or a government-unique standard. In this final rule, the Commission is incorporating by reference voluntary consensus standards developed by NAESB's WEQ. In section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, Congress affirmatively requires Federal Agencies to use technical standards developed by voluntary consensus standards organizations, such as NAESB, as a means of carrying out policy objectives or activities unless use of such standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical.
52. The Office of the Federal Register requires agencies incorporating material by reference in final rules to discuss, in the preamble of the final rule, the ways that the materials it incorporates by reference are reasonably available to interested parties and how interested parties can obtain the materials.
53. The regulations also require agencies to summarize, in the preamble of the final rule, the material it incorporates by reference.
54. The WEQ-000 Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definition of Terms Business Practice Standards provide a single location for all abbreviations, acronyms, and defined terms referenced in the WEQ Business Practice Standards. These standards provide common nomenclature for terms within the wholesale electric industry, thereby reducing confusion and opportunities for misinterpretation or misunderstandings among industry participants.
55. The OASIS suite of business practice standards (WEQ-001 Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS), WEQ-002 OASIS Standards and Communication Protocols, WEQ-003 OASIS Data Dictionary, and WEQ-013 OASIS Implementation Guide)
56. The WEQ-001 OASIS Business Practice Standards define the general and specific transaction processing requirements and related business processes required for OASIS. The standards detail requirements related to standard terminology for transmission and ancillary services, attribute values defining transmission service class and type, ancillary and other services definitions, OASIS registration procedures, procurement of ancillary and other services, path naming, next-hour market service, identical transmission service requests, redirects, resales, transfers, OASIS postings, procedures for addressing Available Transfer Capability or Available Flowgate Capability methodology questions, rollover rights, conditional curtailment option reservations, auding usage of Capacity Benefit Margin, coordination of requests for service across multiple transmission systems, consolidation, the preemption and right-of-first refusal process, and NITS requests.
57. The WEQ-002 OASIS Business Practice Standards and Communication Protocol (S&CP) define the technical standards for OASIS. These standards detail network architecture requirements, information access requirements, OASIS and point-to-point interface requirements, implementation, and NITS interface requirements.
58. The WEQ-003 OASIS Data Dictionary Business Practice Standards define the data element specifications for OASIS.
59. The WEQ-004 Coordinate Interchange Business Practice Standards define the commercial processes necessary to facilitate interchange transactions via Request for Interchange and specify the arrangements and data to be communicated by the entity responsible for authorizing the implementation of such transactions (the entities responsible for balancing load and generation).
60. The WEQ-005 Area Control Error (ACE) Equation Special Cases Business Practice Standards define commercial-based requirements regarding the obligations of a balancing authority to manage the difference between scheduled and actual electrical generation within its control area. Each balancing authority manages its ACE in accordance with the NERC Reliability Standards. These standards detail requirements for jointly owned utilities, supplemental regulation service, and load or generation transfer by telemetry.
61. The WEQ-006 Manual Time Error Correction Business Practice Standards specifies the Manual Time Error Correction procedures to be used for reducing the frequency drifting error to within acceptable limits of true time.
62. The WEQ-007 Inadvertent Interchange Payback Business Practice Standards define the methods in which inadvertent energy is paid back, mitigating the potential for financial gain through the misuse of paybacks for inadvertent interchange. Inadvertent interchange is interchange that occurs when a balancing authority cannot fully balance generation and load within its area. The standards allow for the repayment of any imbalances through bilateral in-kind payback, unilateral in-kind payback, or other methods as agreed to. WEQ-007 was not modified by the WEQ Version 004 Standards.
63. The WEQ-008 Transmission Loading Relief (TLR)-Eastern Interconnection Business Practice Standards define the business practices for cutting transmission service during a TLR event. These standards detail requirements for the use of interconnection-wide TLR procedures, interchange transaction priorities for use with interconnection-wide TLR procedures, and the Eastern Interconnection procedure for physical curtailment of interchange transactions.
64. The WEQ-011 Gas/Electric Coordination Business Practice Standards define communication protocols intended to improve coordination between the gas and electric industries in daily operational communications between transportation service providers and gas-fired power plants. The standards include requirements for communicating anticipated power generation fuel for the upcoming day as well as any operating problems that might hinder gas-fired power plants from receiving contractual gas quantities. WEQ-011 was not modified by the WEQ Version 004 Standards.
65. The WEQ-012 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Business Practice Standards establish the cybersecurity framework for parties partaking in transactions via a transmission provider's OASIS or e-Tagging system. The NAESB PKI framework secures wholesale electric market electronic commercial communications via encryption of data and the electronic authentication of parties to a transaction using a digital certificate issued by a NAESB certified certificate authority. The standards define the requirements for parties utilizing the digital certificates issued by the NAESB certificate authorities.
66. The WEQ-013 OASIS Implementation Guide Business Practice Standards detail the implementation of the OASIS Business Practice Standards. The standards detail requirements related to point-to-point OASIS transaction processing, OASIS template implementation, preemption and right-of-first-refusal processing, NITS application and modification of service processing, and secondary network transmission service.
67. The WEQ-015 Measurement and Verification (M&V) of Wholesale Electricity Demand Response (DR) Business Practice Standards define a common framework for transparency, consistency, and accountability applicable to the measurement and verification of wholesale electric market demand response practices. The standards describe performance evaluation methodology and criteria for the use of equipment, technology, and procedures to quantify the demand reduction value—the measurement of reduced electrical usage by a demand resource.
68. The WEQ-021 Measurement and Verification (M&V) of Energy Efficiency Products Business Practice Standards define a common framework for transparency, consistency, and accountability applicable to the measurement and verification of wholesale electric market energy efficiency practices. The standards establish energy efficiency measurement and verification criteria and define requirements for energy efficiency resource providers for the measurement and verification of energy efficiency products and services offered in the wholesale electric markets.
69. The WEQ-022 Electric Industry Registry Business Practice Standards define the business requirements for entities utilizing NAESB-managed Electric Industry Registry (EIR), a wholesale electric industry tool that
70. The WEQ-023 Modeling Business Practice Standards provide technical details concerning the calculation of ATC for wholesale electric transmission services. The WEQ-023 standards are intended to address the aspects of certain of the NERC MOD A Reliability Standards relating to modeling, data, and analysis that are included in NERC's proposed retirement of its MOD A Reliability Standards.
71. The WEQ-024 Cybersecurity Business Practice Standards is a new suite of standards established to include and maintain all cybersecurity related requirements not included within the PKI business standards.
72. The following standards are incorporated as non-mandatory guidance: WEQ-016, Specifications for Common Electricity Product and Pricing Definition standards address the business objectives and context for capturing the attributes associated with electricity price and product signals as part of the Smart Grid implementation, which is called for by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.
73. WEQ-017, Specifications for Common Schedule Communication Mechanism standards contain a set of specifications relating to the use of date- and time-based data elements that are commonly used in transactions for Demand Response programs.
74. WEQ-018, Specifications for Wholesale Standard Demand Response Signals standards address the business objectives and context for standardizing signals for demand response and distributed energy resources as part of the Smart Grid implementation, which is called for by NIST standards.
75. WEQ-019, Customer Energy Usage Information Communication standards establish the Business Practice Standards for end-use energy usage information communication.
76. WEQ-020, Smart Grid Standards Data Element Table standards contain the list of data elements used in Business Practice Standards WEQ-016 and WEQ-018.
77. As required by the Office of Federal Register regulations, the NAESB standards we incorporate by reference are reasonably available to interested parties and under the Commission's regulations, copies of the standards incorporated by reference may be obtained through purchase or otherwise from the North American Energy Standards Board, 801 Travis Street, Suite 1675, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: (713) 356-0060, website:
78. The procedures used by NAESB make its standards reasonably available to those affected by Commission regulations, which generally is comprised of entities that have the means to acquire the information they need to effectively participate in Commission proceedings. Participants can join NAESB, for an annual membership cost of $8,000, which entitles them to full participation in NAESB and enables them to obtain these standards at no additional cost. Non-members may obtain any of the ten individual standards manuals for $250 per manual, which in the case of these standards would total $2,500 for all ten manuals. Non-members also may obtain the complete set of Standards Manuals for $2,000.
79. NAESB provides ample opportunities for non-members, including agents, subsidiaries, and affiliates of NAESB members, to obtain access to the copyrighted standards through a no-cost limited copyright waiver. The limited copyright waivers are issued by the NAESB office and are granted to non-members on a case-by-case basis for the purpose of evaluating standards prior to purchase and/or reviewing the standards to prepare comments to a regulatory agency. Following the granting of a limited copyright waiver, the non-member is provided with read-only access to the standards through the end of the comment period or some other set period of time via Locklizard Safeguard Secure Viewer.
80. The following collection of information contained in this final rule is subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(d).
81. The Commission solicited comments on the Commission's need for this information, whether the information will have practical utility, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondents' burden, including the use of automated information techniques.
82. The following burden estimate is based on the projected costs for the industry to implement the new and revised business practice standards adopted by NAESB and proposed to be incorporated by reference in the final rule.
The estimated annual costs are as follows:
83. Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting requirements by contacting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Executive Director, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426; attention: Kayla Williams, email:
84. Comments concerning the collection of information(s) and the associated burden estimate(s) should be sent to the Commission at this docket and be emailed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. For security reasons, comments should be sent by email to OMB at the following email address:
85. The Commission is required to prepare an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement for any action that may have a significant adverse effect on the human environment.
86. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA)
87. The Small Business Administration (SBA) revised its size standards (effective January 22, 2014) for electric utilities from a standard based on megawatt hours to a standard based on the number of employees, including affiliates. Under SBA's standards, some transmission owners will fall under the following category and size threshold: electric bulk power transmission and control, at 500 employees.
88. The Commission estimates that the impact on these entities is consistent with the paperwork burden of $3,600 per entity used above.
89. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
90. From the Commission's Home Page on the internet, this information is available on eLibrary. The full text of this document is available on eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. To access this document in eLibrary, type the docket number excluding the last three digits of this document in the docket number field.
91. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the Commission's website during normal business hours from FERC Online Support at 202-502-6652 (toll free at 1-866-208-3676) or email at
92. These regulations are effective April 28, 2025.
93.
94.
95. The Commission has determined, with the concurrence of the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, that this rule is not a “major rule” as defined in section 351 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. The final rule will be submitted to the Senate, House, and Government Accountability Office.
Electric utilities, Natural gas, Pipelines, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Business practice standards, Electric utilities, Incorporation by reference, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
By the Commission.
In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission amends 18 CFR parts 2 and 38 as follows:
5 U.S.C. 601; 15 U.S.C. 717-717z, 3301-3432; 16 U.S.C. 792-828c, 2601-2645; 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370h, 7101-7352.
The Commission informationally lists the following NAESB Business Practices Standards as non-mandatory guidance:
(a) WEQ-016, Specifications for Common Electricity Product and Pricing Definition, (WEQ Version 004, July 31, 2023);
(b) WEQ-017, Specifications for Common Schedule Communication Mechanism for Energy Transactions (WEQ Version 004, July 31, 2023);
(c) WEQ-018, Specifications for Wholesale Standard Demand Response Signals (WEQ Version 004, July 31, 2023);
(d) WEQ-019, Customer Energy Usage Information Communication (WEQ Version 004, July 31, 2023); and
(e) WEQ-020, Smart Grid Standards Data Element Table (WEQ Version 004, July 31, 2023).
(f) Copies of the standards in this section may be obtained from the North American Energy Standards Board, 801 Travis Street, Suite 1675, Houston, TX 77002, Tel: (713) 356-0060. NAESB's website is at
16 U.S.C. 791-825r, 2601-2645; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352.
(b) The material listed in this paragraph (b) is incorporated by reference into this section with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved material is available for inspection at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For assistance in viewing the material, contact the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at: 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426; phone: 202-502-8371; email:
(1) WEQ-000, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definition of Terms, Version 004, July 31, 2023).
(2) WEQ-001, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS), Version 004, July 31, 2023, (including Minor Correction MC24002 applied August 9, 2024).
(3) WEQ-002, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Business Practice Standards and Communication Protocol (S&CP), Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(4) WEQ-003, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Data Dictionary, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(5) WEQ-004, Coordinate Interchange, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(6) WEQ-005, Area Control Error (ACE) Equation Special Cases, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(7) WEQ-006, Manual Time Error Correction, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(8) WEQ-007, Inadvertent Interchange Payback, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(9) WEQ-008, Transmission Loading Relief (TLR)—Eastern Interconnection, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(10) WEQ-011, Gas/Electric Coordination, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(11) WEQ-012, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(12) WEQ-013, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Implementation Guide, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(13) WEQ-015, Measurement and Verification (M&V) of Wholesale Electricity Demand Response (DR), Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(14) WEQ-021, Measurement and Verification (M&V) of Energy Efficiency Products, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(15) WEQ-022, Electric Industry Registry, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(16) WEQ-023, Modeling, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(17) WEQ-024, Cybersecurity, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
The following appendices will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
The NAESB WEQ Business Practice Standards; Standards and Models the Commission incorporates by reference, effective February 27, 2026, are as follows:
(i) WEQ-000, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definition of Terms (WEQ Version 003.1, September 30, 2015) (including only the definitions of Interconnection Time Monitor, Time Error, and Time Error Correction);
(ii) WEQ-000, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definition of Terms (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(iii) WEQ-001, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS), (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(iv) WEQ-002, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Business Practice Standards and Communication Protocols (S&CP), (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(v) WEQ-003, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Data Dictionary, (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(vi) WEQ-004, Coordinate Interchange (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(vii) WEQ-005, Area Control Error (ACE) Equation Special Cases (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(viii) WEQ-006, Manual Time Error Correction (WEQ Version 003.1, Sept. 30, 2015);
(ix) WEQ-007, Inadvertent Interchange Payback (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(x) WEQ-008, Transmission Loading Relief (TLR)—Eastern Interconnection (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xi) WEQ-011, Gas/Electric Coordination (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xii) WEQ-012, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xiii) WEQ-013, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Implementation Guide, (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xiv) WEQ-015, Measurement and Verification of Wholesale Electricity Demand Response (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xv) WEQ-021, Measurement and Verification of Energy Efficiency Products (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xvi) WEQ-022, Electric Industry Registry (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xvii) WEQ-023, Modeling. (WEQ Version 003.3, March 30, 2020);
(xviii) WEQ-024, Cybersecurity, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
The NAESB WEQ Business Practice Standards; Standards and Models the Commission incorporates by reference, effective August 27, 2026, are as follows:
(i) WEQ-000, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definition of Terms, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(ii) WEQ-001, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS), Version 004, July 31, 2023, (including Minor Correction MC24002 applied August 9, 2024).
(iii) WEQ-002, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Business Practice Standards and Communication Protocol (S&CP), Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(iv) WEQ-003, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Data Dictionary, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(v) WEQ-004, Coordinate Interchange, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(vi) WEQ-005, Area Control Error (ACE) Equation Special Cases, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(vii) WEQ-006, Manual Time Error Correction, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(viii) WEQ-007, Inadvertent Interchange Payback, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(ix) WEQ-008, Transmission Loading Relief (TLR)—Eastern Interconnection, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(x) WEQ-011, Gas/Electric Coordination, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xi) WEQ-012, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xii) WEQ-013, Open Access Same-Time Information Systems (OASIS) Implementation Guide, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xiii) WEQ-015, Measurement and Verification (M&V) of Wholesale Electricity Demand Response (DR), Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xiv) WEQ-021, Measurement and Verification (M&V) of Energy Efficiency Products, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xv) WEQ-022, Electric Industry Registry, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xvi) WEQ-023, Modeling, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
(xvii) WEQ-024, Cybersecurity, Version 004, July 31, 2023.
Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Direct final rule; reopening of comment period and delaying effective date.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or Department) published a direct final rule entitled “Name Change From Office of Child Support Enforcement to Office of Child Support Services” in the
The comment period for the direct final rule published at 89 FR 107015 on December 31, 2024, is reopened. Comments should be received on or before March 31, 2025. As of February 27, 2025, the effective date of the direct final rule published at 89 FR 107015 on December 31, 2024, is delayed to April 28, 2025, without further action, unless adverse comments are received. If adverse comments are received, a timely notification of withdrawal will be published in the
Submit comments, identified by agency name and Docket No. ACF-2024-30987, by any of the following methods:
Submit electronic comments in the following way:
•
Submit written submissions in the following ways:
•
Tavaughn McKenny, Program Specialist, OCSS Division of Policy and Training, at
The purpose of the direct final rule was to make child support regulations consistent with recent rulemaking and updated Tribal child support processes and reporting. This direct final rule makes technical updates to reflect the current name of the child support program, Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). This is a conforming update to align with the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Final rule; delay of effective date.
In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from President Donald J. Trump, entitled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” published in the
As of February 27, 2025, the effective date of the final rule implementing the specifications for the 2025 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery that published on December 13, 2024, at 89 FR 100919, is delayed until March 31, 2025.
Caroline Potter, Fishery Resource Management Specialist, (978) 281-9325.
The Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council). The Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan includes a specification process that requires the Council to recommend an acceptable biological catch (ABC), an annual catch limit (ACL), and total allowable landings (TAL) every 4 years. Collectively, these are the red crab specifications. Prior to the start of fishing year 2024, the Council recommended specifications for the 2024-2027 fishing years, which consisted of an ABC, an ACL, and a TAL of 2,000 metric tons (4.41 million pounds). On February 8, 2024, NMFS published a final rule implementing the Council-recommended specifications for the 2024 fishing year, effective through February 28, 2025, and projecting the fishery's specifications for 2025 through 2027 (89 FR 8557). At the end of each fishing year, we evaluate catch information and determine if the quota has been exceeded. If a quota is exceeded, the regulations at 50 CFR 648.262(b) require a pound-for-pound reduction in a subsequent fishing year. We reviewed available 2023 and 2024 fishery information against the projected 2025 specifications. There was no quota overages, nor was there any new biological information that would require altering the projected 2025 specifications published in 2024. Based on that information, on December 13, 2024, we published a final rule finalizing specifications for fishing year 2025, as projected in the 2024 specifications rule.
On January 20, 2025, the White House issued a memorandum instructing Federal agencies to temporarily postpone the effective date for 60 days after January 20, 2025, of any rules that had published in the
Because of this delay, the final 2025 red crab specifications will not be in in place by the start of the fishing year on March 1, 2025. The regulations at 50 CFR 648.260(a)(6)(iv) specify that if the final specifications are not published in the
16 U.S.C. 1801
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Proposed rule.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel regulations by revising the NAC Multi-Purpose Canister (NAC-MPC) System listing within the “List of approved spent fuel storage casks” to include Amendment No. 9 and revise Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1025. Amendment No. 9 and the revisions to Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 amend the description of the vertical concrete cask (VCC) in the CoC and technical specifications to make a distinction between the VCC body and the VCC lid, in terms of applicability of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Specifications ACI 349 and ACI 318.
Submit comments by March 31, 2025. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before this date.
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID NRC-2024-0200, at
You can read a plain language description of this proposed rule at
Kristina Banovac, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards; telephone: 301-415-7116, email:
Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2024-0200 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain publicly available information related to this action by any of the following methods:
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•
•
The NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the Federal rulemaking website (
The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at
If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comment into ADAMS.
Because the NRC considers this action to be non-controversial, the NRC is publishing this proposed rule concurrently with a direct final rule in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the
A significant adverse comment is a comment where the commenter explains why the rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. A comment is adverse and significant if:
(1) The comment opposes the rule and provides a reason sufficient to require a substantive response in a notice-and-comment process. For example, a substantive response is required when:
(a) The comment causes the NRC to reevaluate (or reconsider) its position or conduct additional analysis;
(b) The comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a substantive response to clarify or complete the record; or
(c) The comment raises a relevant issue that was not previously addressed or considered by the NRC.
(2) The comment proposes a change or an addition to the rule, and it is apparent that the rule would be ineffective or unacceptable without incorporation of the change or addition.
(3) The comment causes the NRC to make a change (other than editorial) to the rule.
For a more detailed discussion of the proposed rule changes and associated analyses, see the direct final rule published in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the
Section 218(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, requires that “[t]he Secretary [of the Department of Energy] shall establish a demonstration program, in cooperation with the private sector, for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel at civilian nuclear power reactor sites, with the objective of establishing one or more technologies that the [Nuclear Regulatory] Commission may, by rule, approve for use at the sites of civilian nuclear power reactors without, to the maximum extent practicable, the need for additional site-specific approvals by the Commission.” Section 133 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act states, in part, that “[t]he Commission shall, by rule, establish procedures for the licensing of any technology approved by the Commission under Section 219(a) [sic: 218(a)] for use at the site of any civilian nuclear power reactor.”
To implement this mandate, the Commission approved dry storage of spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved casks under a general license by publishing a final rule that added a new subpart K in part 72 of title 10 of the
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-274) requires Federal agencies to write documents in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner. The NRC has written this document to be consistent with the Plain Writing Act as well as the Presidential Memorandum, “Plain Language in Government Writing,” published June 10, 1998 (63 FR 31885). The NRC requests comment on the proposed rule with respect to clarity and effectiveness of the language used.
The documents identified in the following table are available to interested persons as indicated.
The NRC may post materials related to this document, including public comments, on the Federal rulemaking website at
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-14, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2017-14-14 requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations, and repair if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-14-14, further analysis determined that the compliance times for the inspections must also be based on flight hours. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2017-14-14, and would require revised compliance times and add a provision for optional modifications, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2025.
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
•
•
•
•
• For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
• You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3667; email
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3667; email
The FAA issued AD 2017-14-14, Amendment 39-18958 (82 FR 33002, July 19, 2017) (AD 2017-14-14), for all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2017-14-14 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2016-0105, dated June 6, 2016, to correct an unsafe condition.
AD 2017-14-14 requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations, and repair if necessary. The FAA issued AD 2017-14-14 to detect and correct cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Since the FAA issued AD 2017-14-14, EASA revised EASA AD 2016-0105, dated June 6, 2016, and issued EASA ADs 2016-0105R1, dated September 21, 2018 (EASA AD 2016-0105R1), and 2016-0105R2, dated October 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2016-0105R2), for all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. EASA AD 2016-0105R1 stated that the manufacturer developed a modification that restores the fatigue potential at each location (junction) by doing cold-working at the cabin floor beam and fitting junction for airplanes with a pre-mod 155607 configuration. EASA AD 2016-0105R1 was revised by EASA AD 2016-0105R2, which stated that the manufacturer developed optional modification instructions for airplanes with a post-mod 155607 configuration. These modifications can be used to extend the compliance time for an inspection cycle. EASA then superseded EASA AD 2016-0105R2 with EASA AD 2024-0128, dated July 3, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0128) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct the unsafe condition for the same airplanes. EASA AD 2024-0128 states that further analysis determined that the compliance times for the inspections must also be based on flight hours.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the requirements of AD 2017-14-14, this proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2017-14-14. Those requirements are referenced in EASA AD 2024-0128, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD.
EASA AD 2024-0128 specifies procedures for inspections for cracking on the frame to cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations (frames 35.1 and 35.2, left- and right-hand sides), and repairs, and optional modifications to extend an inspection interval. This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2024-0128 described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0128 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2024-0128 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0128 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance times,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)” in EASA AD 2024-0128. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0128 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0213 after the FAA final rule is published.
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 494 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition actions that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701.
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by April 14, 2025.
This AD replaces AD 2017-14-14, Amendment 39-18958 (82 FR 33002, July 19, 2017) (AD 2017-14-14).
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes, certificated in any category.
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
This AD was prompted by a determination from fatigue testing on the Model A321 airframe that cracks could develop in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0128, dated July 3, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0128).
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0128 refers to “13 June 2016 [the effective date of EASA AD 2016-0105],” this AD requires using August 23, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-14-14).
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0128 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0128.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0128 specifies an option to “contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly,” this AD requires replacing that text with “the crack must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.”
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0128 specifies to submit certain information (inspection report sheet) to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1)
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2017-14-14 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0128 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2)
(3)
For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3667; email
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0128, dated July 3, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-64 and T-414, and establish RNAV Routes T-461 and T-463 in the eastern United States. This action supports FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).
Comments must be received on or before April 14, 2025.
Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-0295 and Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-12 using any of the following methods:
* Go to
*
*
*
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at
Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-8783.
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, section 106 describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it amends the route structure to maintain the efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Operations office (see
United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 2006 and paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order is publicly available as listed in the
FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
In the current route description of RNAV Route Q-64 and T-414, the CATLN, AL; DARRL, SC; SAWED, VA; LOGEN, GA; and AYARA, VA route points are listed as a Fix. These route points are identified as waypoints (WP) in the National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database and charted as a WP accordingly. This NPRM refers to these route points as a WP.
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend RNAV Routes Q-64 and T-414 and establish RNAV Routes T-461 and T-463 in the eastern United States. This action supports continued FAA NextGen efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure that improves the efficiency of the NAS. The proposed RNAV route changes are described below.
The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. It, therefore: (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(f); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding; whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments regarding this information collection received by March 31, 2025 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website
As a result of the occurrences of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in different parts of the world, under 9 CFR 94.1(c) APHIS prohibits the importation of all used farm equipment into the United States from regions in which FMD exists, unless the exporter provides certification signed by an authorized official of the national animal health service of the exporting region stating that the equipment, after its last use and prior to export, has been steam-cleaned free of all exposed dirt and particulate material in the exporting region. APHIS inspects all such farm equipment to ensure it complies with the regulations.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding: Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments regarding this information collection received by March 31, 2025 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding: Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments regarding this information collection received by March 31, 2025 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority, grantee of FTZ 40, submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board (the Board) on behalf of Eagle Electronics, in conjunction with the CO-AX Technology Inc. (CO-AX) facility in Solon, Ohio within FTZ 40. The notification conforming to the requirements of the Board's regulations (15 CFR 400.22) was received on February 21, 2025.
Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b), FTZ production activity would be limited to the specific foreign-status materials/components and specific finished product described in the submitted notification (summarized below) and subsequently authorized by the Board. The benefits that may stem from conducting production activity under FTZ procedures are explained in the background section of the Board's
The proposed finished product is cellular modules (duty rate is duty-free).
The proposed foreign-status materials/components include: silica gel desiccants; polyethylene packing bags; polystyrene carrier tape; plastic packing plates; paper components (cartons; non-adhesive labels); humidity cards; thermal conductivity adhesives; polyimide labels; inductors; duplexers; capacitors; resistors; thermistors; printed circuit boards; diodes; transistors; crystal oscillators; integrated circuits; ferrite beads; wave filters; steel alloy components (shields; shielding covers; shielding frames); printed circuit connectors; and, quadruplexers (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 6.5%). The request indicates that certain materials/components are subject to duties under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (section 1702) and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (section 301), depending on the country of origin. The applicable section 1702 and section 301 decisions require subject merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in privileged foreign (PF) status (19 CFR 146.41). The request also indicates that polyethylene packing bags are subject to an antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) order on polyethylene retail carrier bags if imported from certain countries. The Board's regulations (15 CFR 400.13(c)(2)) require that merchandise subject to AD/CVD orders, or items which would be otherwise subject to suspension of liquidation under AD/CVD procedures if they entered U.S. customs territory, be admitted to the zone in PF status.
Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the Board's Executive Secretary and sent to:
A copy of the notification will be available for public inspection in the “Online FTZ Information System” section of the Board's website.
For further information, contact Juanita Chen at
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
As a result of determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that revocation of the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on laminated woven sacks (woven sacks) from the People's Republic of China (China) would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and countervailable subsidies, and material injury to an industry in the United States, Commerce is publishing a notice of continuation of these AD and CVD orders.
Applicable February 20, 2025.
Kabir Archuletta (AD) and Jacqueline Arrowsmith (CVD), AD/CVD Operations, Offices V and VII, respectively, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-2593 or (202) 482-5255, respectively.
On August 7, 2008, Commerce published in the
On February 20, 2025, the ITC published its determination, pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752(a) of the Act, that revocation of the
The merchandise covered by the
Effective July 1, 2007, laminated woven sacks are classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 6305.33.0050 and 6305.33.0080. Laminated woven sacks were previously classifiable under HTSUS subheading 6305.33.0020. Laminated woven sacks are also classifiable under HTSUS 6305.33.0040. If entered with plastic coating on both sides of the fabric consisting of woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip, laminated woven sacks may be classifiable under HTSUS subheadings 3923.21.0080, 3923.21.0095, and 3923.29.0000. If entered not closed on one end or in roll form (including sheets, lay-flat tubing, and sleeves),
If the polypropylene strips and/or polyethylene strips making up the fabric measure more than 5 millimeters in width, laminated woven sacks may be classifiable under other HTSUS subheadings including 4601.99.0500, 4601.99.9000, and 4602.90.000. Although HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the
As a result of the determinations by Commerce and the ITC that revocation of the
The effective date of the continuation of the
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 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).
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
As a result of this sunset review, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) finds that revocation of the antidumping duty order on certain steel nails (nails) from the People's Republic of China (China) would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping at the levels indicated in the “Final Results of Sunset Review” section of this notice.
Applicable February 27, 2025.
Thomas Martin, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3299.
On November 4, 2024, Commerce published the notice of initiation of the third sunset review of the
On December 4, 2024, we received a complete substantive response from Mid Continent within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i).
The products covered by this
A complete discussion of all issues raised in these sunset reviews is contained in the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum.
Pursuant to sections 751(c)(1) and 752(c)(1) and (3) of the Act, Commerce determines that revocation of the
This notice serves as the only reminder to interested parties subject to an Administrative Protective Order
We are issuing and publishing these final results and notice in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2) and 19 CFR 351.221(c)(5)(ii).
This is a decision pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89-651, as amended by Pub. L. 106-36; 80 Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301). On January 28, 2025, the Department of Commerce published a notice in the
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
As a result of this expedited sunset review, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) finds that revocation of the antidumping duty (AD) order on alloy and certain carbon steel threaded rod from the People's Republic of China (China) would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the levels indicated in the “Final Results of Sunset Review” section of this notice.
Applicable February 27, 2025.
Thomas Martin, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3299.
On April 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) published the
On November 19, 2024, Commerce received the notice of intent to participate in these reviews from the domestic interested party within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(i).
On December 2, 2024, Commerce received an adequate substantive response from the domestic interested party within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i).
The product covered by the
A complete discussion of all issues raised in this sunset review is contained in the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum.
Pursuant to sections 751(c)(1) and 752(c)(1) and (3) of the Act, Commerce determines that revocation of the
This notice serves as the only reminder to interested parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the return/destruction or conversion to judicial protective order of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely 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.
We are issuing and publishing these final results and notice in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218.
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
Notice, correction.
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) published a notice in the
Colin Thrasher or Eric Hawkins, AD/CVD Operations, Office V, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3004 or (202) 482-1988, respectively.
On February 10, 2025, Commerce published in the
In the
This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 703(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.205(c).
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Notice; public meeting.
The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, starting at 12:30 p.m. and continue through 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. See
The meeting will take place over webinar using the Webex platform with a telephone-only connection option. Details on how to connect to the webinar by computer and by telephone will be available at:
Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 526-5255.
During this meeting, the SSC will review and provide feedback on the most recent Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem report and the Council's Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management risk assessment. The SSC will review and discuss the Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) and the latest ocean model forecasts and the potential application and utilization by the SSC. The SSC will receive an update the private recreational Tilefish permitting, reporting, and program evaluation. In addition, the SSC will discuss the activities and future products of the
A detailed agenda and background documents will be made available on the Council's website (
These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Notice of a public meeting.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one day in-person meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper Grouper/Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs Advisory Panel (AP).
The meeting will take place Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST.
The in-person meeting will take place at the Gulf Council office. Registration information will be available on the Council's website by visiting
Dr. Assane Diagne, Economist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council;
The meeting will begin with Introductions of Members and Adoption of Agenda, Election of Chair and Vice Chair and Scope of Work. The AP will review Reef Fish Amendment 59A: IFQ Permit Requirements and Reef Fish Amendment 60: IFQ Distribution Issues; including presentations, background materials and AP Recommendations. The AP will discuss Active Participation in IFQ Programs and AP Recommendations. Lastly, the AP will receive Public Comment and discuss any Other Business items.
The meeting will also be broadcast via webinar. You may register for the webinar by visiting
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Advisory Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice 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 Council's intent to take-action to address the emergency.
The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Kathy Pereira, (813) 348-1630, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Notice of a public online meeting.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center will convene a virtual pre-assessment workshop to review proposed data and modeling approaches to inform groundfish stock assessments for rougheye/blackspotted rockfish and sablefish scheduled for assessment during 2025. The workshop is open to the public.
The pre-assessment workshop will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) or until business for the day has been completed.
The pre-assessment workshop will be conducted as an online meeting. Specific meeting information, including the agenda and directions on how to join the meeting and system requirements, will be provided in the workshop announcement on the Pacific Council's website (see
Marlene A. Bellman, Staff Officer, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820-2414, email:
The purpose of the pre-assessment workshop is to review proposed data inputs, modeling approaches, and any other pertinent information to inform 2025 stock assessments for rougheye/blackspotted rockfish and sablefish. The goal of the pre-assessment workshop is to promote dialogue and a common understanding regarding the best data, analytical, and modeling approaches applicable to these assessments. Stock assessment teams will solicit advice from data stewards, stakeholders, and
No management actions will be decided by the workshop participants. The participants' role will be the development of recommendations for consideration by the stock assessment teams assigned to conduct these assessments. Assessments for these stocks are tentatively scheduled for peer review during a Stock Assessment Review (STAR) panel on July 14-18, 2025. The Pacific Council and the Pacific Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee are scheduled to consider these draft assessments for use in informing management decisions at their September 2025 meeting in Spokane, WA.
Although nonemergency issues not contained in the workshop agenda may be discussed, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this workshop. 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 Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent of the workshop participants to take final action to address the emergency.
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Notice of a public meeting.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one day in-person meeting of its
The meeting will take place Monday, March 17, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EDT.
The in-person meeting will take place at the Gulf Council office. Registration information will be available on the Council's website by visiting
Mr. Ryan Rindone, Lead Fishery Biologist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council;
The meeting will begin with Introductions of Members and Adoption of Agenda, Approval of Minutes and Meeting Summary from the December 2024 meeting, Scope of Work and review of
The AP will review and discuss Amendment 58B:
The AP will review SEDAR 96: Southeastern U.S.
The AP will receive an update and discuss Headboat Data Collection and SSC Recommendations on Return `em Right Research, including presentations and AP Recommendations.
Lastly, the AP will receive Public Comment and discuss any Other Business items.
The meeting will also be broadcast via webinar. You may register for the webinar by visiting
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Advisory Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice 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 Council's intent to take-action to address the emergency.
The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Kathy Pereira, (813) 348-1630, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) requests comments on a proposed extension of approval of information collection to obtain data on consumer product-related injuries, and follow-up activities for product-related injuries. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously approved the collection of information under control number 3041-0029. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on May 31, 2025. The Commission will
Submit comments on the collection of information by April 28, 2025.
You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2009-0102, within 60 days of publication of this notice by any of the following methods:
Cynthia Gillham, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7791, or by email to:
CPSC seeks to renew the following currently approved collection of information:
From these sources, the CPSC selects cases of interest for further investigation by contacting individuals who witnessed or were injured in incidents involving consumer products. These investigations are conducted on-site (face-to-face), by telephone, or by the internet. This information is also collected by contacting state and local officials, including police, coroners and fire investigators, and others with knowledge of the incident.
CPSC uses the information from this collection to support development and improvement of voluntary standards; proceedings for the development of mandatory standards and regulations; information and education campaigns; and administrative and judicial proceedings for enforcement of the statutes, standards, and regulations administered by the agency. The information collected informs the agency in its efforts to remove unsafe products from channels of distribution and consumers' homes, and it provides information to the public about the safety of consumer products.
Information for follow-up investigations from NEISS and other sources is collected through traditional face-to-face, telephone, or internet-based interviews with consumers, witnesses, and other knowledgeable parties, such as fire, police, and healthcare professionals. On average, an on-site interview takes about 4.5 hours. CPSC staff also complete about 750 in-depth investigations (IDIs) by telephone through the use of a Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) or self-administered Computer Assisted internet Interviews (CAII) questionnaires. Each CATI or CAII IDI requires about 20 minutes to complete.
CPSC estimates the value of the time required for reporting by other respondents to be $46.84 an hour, the average cost for employee compensation for civilian workers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employer Costs for Employee Compensation,” September 2024:
The Commission solicits written comments from all interested persons about the proposed collection of information. The Commission specifically solicits information relevant to the following topics:
• whether the collection of information described above is necessary for the proper performance of the Commission's functions, including whether the information would have practical utility;
• whether the estimated burden of the proposed collection of information is accurate;
• whether the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected could be enhanced; and
• whether the burden imposed by the collection of information could be minimized by use of automated, electronic or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology.
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) announces that the Commission has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of information collection regarding notification requirements for coal and wood burning appliances. OMB previously approved the collection of information under Control Number 3041-0040. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on March 31, 2025. On December 3, 2024, CPSC published a notice in the
Submit comments on the collection of information by March 31, 2025.
Submit comments about this request by email:
Cynthia Gillham, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-7791, or by email to:
CPSC seeks to renew the following currently approved collection of information:
All known manufacturers are believed to have already complied with the requirements for providing information in labels, manuals, catalogs, and point-of-sale literature and the requirements for submitting all labels and owner's manuals. For the known manufacturers, there should be no additional burden associated with the requirements of 16 CFR part 1406, except when existing models are changed, or new models are introduced. We anticipate that there will be no more than five submissions annually as a result of new stove models coming into the market or new firms entering the market.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, DoD.
Request for comments; announcement of stakeholder sessions.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (OASA(CW)) is seeking public comment on any provisions in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. The OASA(CW) will consider all comments received during the 60-day public comment period in the development and issuance of guidance to implement WRDA 2024.
The public comment period will end on April 28, 2025. To ensure your comment is considered during the development of guidance, comments should be received on or before that date. In addition, three stakeholder sessions will be held to allow the public to provide input on any provisions in WRDA 2024 at the following dates/times: March 12, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern; March 26, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern; April 9, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern. An additional stakeholder session will be held on April 2, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern which will focus on topics related to Tribal nations and will be open to the general public. Please refer to the Supplementary Information section for additional information on the stakeholder sessions.
You may submit written comments, identified by Docket ID No. COE-2024-0004, by any of the following methods:
All requests for further information on the notice and the stakeholder sessions may be directed to Ms. Lauren Leuck, OASA(CW), at 703-839-0383 or
This comment period regarding WRDA 2024 (Pub. L. 118-272) is being conducted in accordance with Section 1105 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-270). A copy of WRDA 2024 can be found at:
On February 20, 2025, the Commission issued an order in Docket Nos. EL25-49-000, AD24-11-000 and EL25-20-000, pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. 824e, instituting an investigation in Docket No. EL25-49-000 to determine whether PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Tariff is unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory or preferential, or otherwise unlawful.
The refund effective date in Docket No. EL25-49-000, established pursuant to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the date of publication of this notice in the
Any interested person desiring to be heard in Docket No. EL25-49-000 must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate, with the Commission, in accordance with Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.214 (2024), within 21 days of the date of issuance of the order.
In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFile” link at
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, community organizations, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or
On November 15, 2024, Southern California Edison Company (transferor) and Fontana Union Water Company (transferee) filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) to transfer the license for the 500-kilowatt Lytle Creek Hydroelectric Project (Lytle Creek Project) No. 1932. The project is located on Lytle Creek in San Bernardino County, California, and occupies federal land within the San Bernardino National Forest.
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 801, the applicants seek Commission approval to transfer the license for the Lytle Creek Project from the transferor to the transferee. Upon approval, the transferee will be required by the Commission to comply with all the requirements of the license.
For Transferor: Wayne Allen, Principal Manager, Southern California Edison, 2244 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770,
For Transferee: Robert J. DiPrimio, Vice President/Director, Fontana Union Water Company, 15966 Arrow Route, Fontana, CA 92335,
FERC Contact: Woohee Choi, Phone: (202) 502-6336, Email:
Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests: 30 days from the date that the Commission issues this notice. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests using the Commission's eFiling system at
In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to, Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to, Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-1932-067. Comments emailed to Commission staff are not considered part of the Commission record.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or
Take notice that on February 13, 2025, WBI Energy Transmission (WBI), 1250 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, filed in the above referenced docket, a prior notice request pursuant to sections 157.205 and 157.210 of the Commission's regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and WBI's blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-487-000, for authorization to replace, modify, uprate, and operate certain natural gas facilities in Morton County, North Dakota (Minot Expansion Project). The project will allow WBI to provide up to 7,000 dekatherms per day for its shipper, Montana-Dakota Utilities Company, from a receipt point along Line Section 2 to delivery points along Line Section 7. WBI explains that, in addition to providing additional capacity to its shipper, a portion of the project is being completed for integrity purposes. The estimated cost for the project is $13,000,000, all as more fully set forth in the request which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
User assistance is available for eLibrary and the Commission's website during normal business hours from FERC Online Support at (202) 502-6652 (toll free at 1-866-208-3676) or email at
Any questions concerning this request should be directed to Lori Myerchin, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Transportation Services, WBI Energy Transmission, Inc., 1250 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, at (701) 530-1563 or by email to
There are three ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project: you can file a protest to the project, you can file a motion to intervene in the proceeding, and you can file comments on the project. There is no fee or cost for filing protests, motions to intervene, or comments. The deadline for filing protests, motions to intervene, and comments is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 22, 2025. How to file protests, motions to intervene, and comments is explained below.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, community organizations, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or
Pursuant to section 157.205 of the Commission's regulations under the NGA,
Protests must comply with the requirements specified in section 157.205(e) of the Commission's regulations,
Any person has the option to file a motion to intervene in this proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to request rehearing of Commission orders issued in this proceeding and to subsequently challenge the Commission's orders in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal.
To intervene, you must submit a motion to intervene to the Commission in accordance with Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure
All timely, unopposed motions to intervene are automatically granted by operation of Rule 214(c)(1). Motions to intervene that are filed after the intervention deadline are untimely and may be denied. Any late-filed motion to intervene must show good cause for being late and must explain why the time limitation should be waived and provide justification by reference to factors set forth in Rule 214(d) of the Commission's Rules and Regulations. A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies (paper or electronic) of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties.
Any person wishing to comment on the project may do so. The Commission considers all comments received about the project in determining the appropriate action to be taken. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments on or before April 22, 2025. The filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. To become a party, you must intervene in the proceeding.
There are two ways to submit protests, motions to intervene, and comments. In both instances, please reference the Project docket number CP25-75-000 in your submission.
(1) You may file your protest, motion to intervene, and comments by using the Commission's eFiling feature, which is located on the Commission's website (
(2) You can file a paper copy of your submission by mailing it to the address below. Your submission must reference the Project docket number CP25-75-000.
The Commission encourages electronic filing of submissions (option 1 above) and has eFiling staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or
Protests and motions to intervene must be served on the applicant either by mail at: Lori Myerchin, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Transportation Services, WBI Energy Transmission, Inc., 1250 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, or by email (with a link to the document) to
Throughout the proceeding, additional information about the project will be available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the FERC website at
In addition, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. For more information and to register, go to
Take notice that the Commission has received the following Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Any person desiring to intervene, to protest, or to answer a complaint in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206 of the Commission's Regulations (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding.
The filings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system (
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at:
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, community organizations, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or
On May 13, 2021, Hydropower Highway LLC filed an application for a preliminary permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act, proposing to study the feasibility of the proposed Camp Pendleton Pumped Storage Hydro Project (Camp Pendleton Project), a hydropower project proposed to be located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, partially within Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, in San Diego County, California. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners' express permission.
The proposed project would consist of the following new facilities: (1) an 850-foot-high lined earthen dam with a crest elevation of approximately 800 feet above mean sea level (msl); (2) a 515-acre upper reservoir having a total storage capacity of approximately 12,763 acre-feet at a normal maximum operating elevation of 750 feet msl; (3) up to ten 14,300-foot-long, steel-lined underground penstocks between the upper reservoir and the powerhouse; (4) a powerhouse containing 10 advanced ternary pumped storage single runner turbine-generator units rated for 520 megawatts; (5) a 2,000-foot-long tailrace connecting the powerhouse to the Pacific Ocean; (6) a transmission line, for which the point of interconnection with the grid would be determined under the permit; and (7) appurtenant facilities. The lower reservoir for the proposed project would be the Pacific Ocean. The estimated annual generation of the Camp Pendleton Project would be 1,926,470 megawatt-hours.
Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, competing applications (without notices of intent), or notices of intent to file competing applications: 60 days from the issuance of this notice. Competing applications and notices of intent must meet the requirements of 18 CFR 4.36.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, community organizations, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, notices of intent, and competing applications using the Commission's eFiling system at
More information about this project, including a copy of the application, can be viewed or printed on the “eLibrary” link of the Commission's website at
Take notice that the Commission received the following electric corporate filings:
Take notice that the Commission received the following exempt wholesale generator filings:
Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings:
The filings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system (
Any person desiring to intervene, to protest, or to answer a complaint in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206 of the Commission's Regulations (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at:
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, community organizations, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or
Federal Communications Commission.
Notice and request for comments.
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before April 28, 2025. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email
For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
The auctions to award MF-I and TMF-I support were held in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Due to the passage of time since support disbursements to MF-I and TMF-I began to be distributed following the conclusion of these auctions, there are no longer any TMF-I support recipients that are still required to file annual reports on FCC Form 690, and there are only a few MF-I support recipients that are still required to file annual reports.
Federal Communications Commission.
Notice and request for comments.
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning:
Written comments should be submitted on or before April 28, 2025. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments but find it difficult to do so within the time period allowed by this notice, you should advise the contacts below as soon as possible.
Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email
For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
In 1995, via a Report and Order in PR Docket No. 93-61; FCC 95-41, published at 60 FR 15248, the Commission established construction deadlines for Location and Monitoring Service (LMS) licensees in the market-licensed multilateration LMS services. On July 8, 2004, the Commission adopted a Report and Order under WT Docket Nos. 02-381, 01-14, and 03-202; FCC 04-166, published at 69 FR 75144, that amended § 90.155 to provide holders of multilateration location service authorizations with five- and ten-year benchmarks to place in operation their base stations that utilize multilateration technology to provide multilateration location service to one-third of the Economic Area's (EA's) population within five years of initial license grant, and two-thirds of the population within ten years. At the five- and ten-year benchmarks, licensees are required to file a map and FCC Form 601 showing compliance with the coverage requirements pursuant to § 1.946 of the Commission's rules.
On January 31, 2007, via an Order on Reconsideration, and Memorandum Opinion and Order, under DA 07-479, the FCC granted two to three additional years to meet the five-year construction requirement for certain multilateration Location and Monitoring Service Economic Area licenses, and extended the 10-year requirement for such licenses two years.
These requirements will be used by Commission personnel to evaluate whether or not certain licensees are providing substantial service as a means of complying with their construction requirements, or have demonstrated that an extended period of time for construction is warranted.
Individuals who wish to comment on this request for waiver should mail comments to the Federal Communications Commission by no later than 30 days from (the date the notification was mailed to subscribers). Those comments should be addressed to the: Federal Communications Commission, Media Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, and should include the name of the cable operator to whom the comments are applicable. Individuals should also send a copy of their comments to (the cable operator at its local place of business). Cable operators may file comments in reply no later than 7 days from the date subscriber comments must be filed.
Federal Communications Commission.
Notice and request for comments.
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before April 28, 2025. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email
For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841
The public portions of the applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, if any, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank(s) indicated below and at the offices of the Board of Governors. This information may also be obtained on an expedited basis, upon request, by contacting the appropriate Federal Reserve Bank and from the Board's Freedom of Information Office at
Comments received are subject to public disclosure. In general, comments received will be made available without change and will not be modified to remove personal or business information including confidential,
Comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors, Ann E. Misback, Secretary of the Board, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20551-0001, not later than March 13, 2025.
1.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection without change.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 31, 2025.
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to
Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501
On December 2, 2024, we published a proposed rule (RIN 1018-BB84, Administrative Requirements; Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts, Docket No. FWS-HQ-WSFR-2023-0125), in the
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this information collection request. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The Service currently manages the following types of assistance programs:
Some assistance programs are mandatory and award funds to eligible recipients according to a formula prescribed in law or regulation. Other programs are discretionary and award funds based on competitive selection and merit review processes. Mandatory award recipients must give us specific, detailed project information during the application process so that we may ensure that projects are eligible for the mandatory funding, are substantial in character and design, and comply with all applicable Federal laws. Applicants to discretionary programs must give us information as dictated by the program requirements and as requested in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), including that information that addresses ranking criteria. All recipients must submit financial and performance reports that contain information necessary for us to track costs and accomplishments.
The recipients' reports must adhere to schedules and rules in 2 CFR part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.” Part 200 prescribes the information that Federal agencies must collect, and the information the financial assistance applicants and recipients must provide to receive benefits under Federal financial assistance programs. The regulations in part 200 supports this information collection.
The Service provides technical and financial assistance to other Federal agencies, States, local governments, Native American Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, citizen groups, and private landowners for the conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources. The process begins with the submission of an application. The respective program reviews and prioritizes proposed projects based on their respective project selection criteria. Pending availability of funding, applicants can submit their application documents to the Service through the Federal
As part of this collection of information, the Service collects the following types of information requiring approval under the PRA:
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• Required Federal financial assistance application forms (SF-424 suite of forms, as applicable to specified project).
• Project Narrative—generally includes items such as:
• Pertinent project budget-related information—generally includes items such as:
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• Federal financial reports,
• Performance reports, and
• Real property status reports, when applicable.
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5.
The Service also publishes the collected data for the public on the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program web page (
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.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
U.S. International Trade Commission.
Notice.
Notice is hereby given that on February 7, 2025, the presiding administrative law judge (“ALJ”) issued an Initial Determination on Violation of Section 337. The ALJ also issued a Recommended Determination on remedy and bonding should a violation be found in the above-captioned investigation on February 21, 2025. The Commission is soliciting submissions on public interest issues raised by the recommended relief should the Commission find a violation. This notice is soliciting comments from the public and interested government agencies only.
Benjamin S. Richards, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 708-5453. Copies of non-confidential documents filed in connection with this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at
Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 provides that, if the Commission finds a violation, it shall exclude the articles concerned from the United States unless, after considering the effect of such exclusion upon the public health and welfare, competitive conditions in the United States economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United States, and United States consumers, it finds that such articles should not be excluded from entry. (19 U.S.C. 1337(d)(1)). A similar provision applies to cease and desist orders. (19 U.S.C. 1337(f)(1)).
The Commission is soliciting submissions on public interest issues raised by the recommended relief should the Commission find a violation, specifically: a limited exclusion order directed to certain electronic computing devices and components thereof imported, sold for importation, and/or sold after importation by respondents ASUSTeK Computer Inc. and ASUS Computer International; and a cease and desist order directed to ASUS Computer International. Parties are to file public interest submissions pursuant to 19 CFR 210.50(a)(4).
The Commission is interested in further development of the record on the public interest in this investigation. Accordingly, members of the public and interested government agencies are invited to file submissions of no more than five (5) pages, inclusive of attachments, concerning the public interest in light of the ALJ's Recommended Determination on Remedy and Bonding issued in this investigation on February 21, 2025. Comments should address whether issuance of the recommended remedial orders in this investigation, should the Commission find a violation, would affect the public health and welfare in the United States, competitive conditions in the United States economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United States, or United States consumers.
In particular, the Commission is interested in comments that:
(i) explain how the articles potentially subject to the recommended remedial orders are used in the United States;
(ii) identify any public health, safety, or welfare concerns in the United States relating to the recommended orders;
(iii) identify like or directly competitive articles that complainant, its licensees, or third parties make in the United States which could replace the subject articles if they were to be excluded;
(iv) indicate whether complainant, complainant's licensees, and/or third-party suppliers have the capacity to replace the volume of articles potentially subject to the recommended orders within a commercially reasonable time; and
(v) explain how the recommended orders would impact consumers in the United States.
Written submissions must be filed no later than by close of business on March 24, 2025.
Persons filing written submissions must file the original document electronically on or before the deadlines stated above pursuant to 19 CFR 210.4(f). Submissions should refer to the investigation number (“Inv. No. 337-TA-1382”) in a prominent place on the cover page and/or the first page. (
Any person desiring to submit a document to the Commission in confidence must request confidential treatment by marking each document with a header indicating that the document contains confidential information. This marking will be deemed to satisfy the request procedure set forth in Rules 201.6(b) and 210.5(e)(2) (19 CFR 201.6(b) & 210.5(e)(2)). Documents for which
This action is taken under the authority of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in Part 210 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR Part 210).
By order of the Commission.
On the basis of the record
The Commission previously instituted these second five-year reviews on October 2, 2022 (87 FR 59827), but subsequently terminated the reviews on January 13, 2023 (88 FR 2374) following Commerce's final results of sunset reviews and revocation of the orders on certain stilbenic optical brightening agents from China and Taiwan (87 FR 80162, December 29, 2022). Following an appeal by domestic producer Archroma U.S., Inc., the U.S. Court of International Trade directed Commerce and the Commission to undertake reviews of the orders.
The Commission made these determinations pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)). It completed and filed its determinations in these reviews on February 21, 2025. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 5591 (February 2025), entitled
By order of the Commission.
Drug Enforcement Administration, Justice.
Notice of application.
Groff Hemplex LLC has applied to be registered as a bulk manufacturer of basic class(es) of controlled substance(s). Refer to
Registered bulk manufacturers of the affected basic class(es), and applicants, therefore, may submit electronic comments on or objections to the issuance of the proposed registration on or before April 28, 2025, Such persons may also file a written request for a hearing on the application on or before April 28, 2025.
The Drug Enforcement Administration requires that all comments be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, which provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on the web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Please go to
In accordance with 21 CFR 1301.33(a), this is notice that on September 30, 2024, Groff NA Hemplex LLC, 2218 South Queen Street, York, Pennsylvania 17402, applied to be registered as a bulk manufacturer of the following basic class(es) of controlled substance(s):
The company is federally authorized to conduct cultivation activities in order to bulk manufacture the listed controlled substances for internal use and for sale to federally registered research investigators. No other activities for these drug codes are authorized for this registration.
Notice of availability; request for comments.
The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.
The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency receives on or before March 31, 2025.
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to
Nicole Bouchet by telephone at 202-693-0213, or by email at
The OSH Act and 29 CFR part 1904 prescribe that certain employers maintain records of job-related injuries and illnesses. The data are needed by OSHA to carry out intervention and enforcement activities to guarantee workers safe and healthful workplaces. The data are also needed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to produce national statistics on occupational injuries and illnesses. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the
Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid OMB Control Number.
DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the “National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997.” A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the
Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
Send comments to Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, by email to
Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, at 202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See
The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) is a nationally representative sample of persons who were born in the years 1980 to 1984. These respondents were ages 12-17 when the first round of annual interviews began in 1997; starting with round sixteen, the NLSY97 is conducted on a biennial basis. Round twenty-two interviews will occur from September 2025 to June 2026. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) contracts with a vendor to conduct the NLSY97. The primary objective of the survey is to study the transition from schooling to the establishment of careers and families. The longitudinal focus of this survey requires information to be collected from the same individuals over many years in order to trace their education, training, work experience, fertility, income, and program participation.
One of the goals of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to produce and disseminate timely, accurate, and relevant information about the U.S. labor force. The BLS contributes to this goal by gathering information about the labor force and labor market and disseminating it to policymakers and the public so that participants in those markets can make more informed, and thus more efficient, choices.
Research based on the NLSY97 contributes to the formation of national policy in the areas of education,
The survey design provides data gathered from the same respondents over time to form the only dataset that contains this type of information for this important population group. Without the collection of these data, an accurate longitudinal dataset could not be provided to researchers and policymakers, thus adversely affecting the DOL's ability to perform its policy- and report-making activities.
The BLS seeks approval to conduct round 22 of biennial interviews of the NLSY97. Respondents of the NLSY97 will undergo an interview of approximately 71 minutes during which they will answer questions about schooling and labor market experiences, family relationships, and community background.
During the fielding period for the main round 22 interviews, no more than 2 percent of respondents will be asked to participate in a brief validation interview a few weeks after the initial interview. The purpose of the validation interview is to verify that the initial interview took place as the interviewer reported and to assess the data quality of selected questionnaire items.
The BLS plans to record randomly selected segments of the main interviews during round 22. Recording interviews helps the BLS and its contractors to ensure that the interviews actually took place and interviewers are reading the questions exactly as worded and entering the responses properly. Recording also helps to identify parts of the interview that might be causing problems or misunderstandings for interviewers or respondents. Each respondent will be informed that the interview may be recorded for quality control, testing, and training purposes. If the respondent objects to the recording of the interview, the interviewer will confirm to the respondent that the interview will not be recorded and then proceed with the interview.
Round 22 will be a predominantly telephone survey. We anticipate that approximately 99 percent of interviews will be completed by telephone, with the remaining interviews being conducted in person.
The round 22 questionnaire will resemble the round 21 questionnaire with few modifications. New questions for the round 22 questionnaire include questions on platform work, whether and which accommodations are offered by employers, clarifications on the nature of work arrangements, respondents' expectations for retirement and collect broad measures of disability. In addition, we have made attempts to streamline the questionnaire so that it will be shorter and less burdensome for respondents. To this end, fewer questions will be asked about coronavirus and health behaviors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments that:
• 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.
• 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.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Opportunity to comment, request a hearing, and petition for leave to intervene.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-30, issued to Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri (the licensee), for the operation of Callaway Plant, Unit No. 1 (Callaway). The proposed amendment would add a note to Callaway Technical Specification (TS) 4.2.2, “Control Rod Assemblies,” to permit the Cycle 28 core to contain 52 control rods (
Submit comments by March 31, 2025. Requests for a hearing or petitions for leave to intervene must be filed by April 28, 2025.
You may submit comments by any of the following methods; however, the NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the Federal rulemaking website.
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For additional direction on obtaining information and submitting comments, see “Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments” in the
Mahesh Chawla, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-8371; email:
Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2025-0036 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain publicly available information related to this action by any of the following methods:
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The NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the Federal rulemaking website (
The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at
If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comment into ADAMS.
The NRC is considering issuance of an amendment to Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-30, issued to Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, for the operation of Callaway, located in Callaway County, Missouri.
The proposed amendment would add a note to Callaway TS 4.2.2 to permit the Cycle 28 core to contain 52 control rods (
Before any issuance of the proposed license amendment, the NRC will need to make the findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and NRC's regulations.
The NRC has made a proposed determination that the license amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration. Under the NRC's regulations in section 50.92 of title 10 of the
1. Does the proposed change involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
The proposed license amendment would add a note to Callaway Unit 1 Technical Specification (TS) 4.2.2, “Control Rod Assemblies,” to permit Cycle 28 to contain 52 control rods,
This proposed license amendment would allow for the temporary removal of the control rod in core location H-08 during Cycle 28. Operation of Callaway Cycle 28 with the H-08 control rod removed will not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated. Shutdown margin (SDM) is reduced by the absence of the H-08 control rod but remains bounded by the limits specified by the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR). Because the impacts on the cycle-specific nuclear design parameters are bounded by the conservative input values used in the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) accident analyses, the current accident analyses remain bounding. Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.
The proposed changes will not alter or prevent the ability of the remaining 52 control rods from performing their intended functions to mitigate the consequences of an initiating event within the assumed acceptance limits. The mechanical removal of the control rod drive shaft and Rod Cluster Control Assembly (RCCA) does not have any mechanical impact on the function of the remaining 52 control rods. The electrical
The proposed changes do not alter any accident analysis assumptions discussed in the FSAR. Shutdown Margin (SDM) is reduced by the absence of the H-08 control rod but remains bounded by the limits specified by the COLR.
Therefore, it is concluded that this change does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.
2. Does the proposed change create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated?
Operation of Callaway Cycle 28 with the H-08 control rod removed will not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated. The proposed change involves no physical change beyond the removal of the H-08 control rod. The safety evaluations performed for Cycle 28 with the H-08 control rod removed validated that the impacts to the nuclear design parameters were within the bounds of those already assumed in the FSAR Chapter 15 accident analyses. The change in core bypass flow through the upper head region has been evaluated, and it has been determined that the increase is negligible and there is no impact to the safety analysis due to this negligible increase. The current accident analyses remain bounding. All plant equipment will continue to meet applicable design and safety requirements.
Therefore, it is concluded that this change does not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.
3. Does the proposed change involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety?
The margin of safety is established through equipment design, operating parameters, and the setpoints at which automatic actions are initiated. The proposed change does not alter any FSAR design basis or safety limit and does not change any setpoint at which automatic actuations are initiated. The proposed change has been evaluated for effects on available shutdown margin, boron worth, trip reactivity as a function of time, and moderator temperature coefficient. The results of these evaluations show that adequate margin is maintained such that the proposed change would not cause a design basis or safety limit to be altered or exceeded.
Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed change does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety.
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the license amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
The NRC is seeking public comments on this proposed determination that the license amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration. Any comments received within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice will be considered in making any final determination.
Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the expiration of 60 days after the date of publication of this notice. The Commission may issue the license amendment before expiration of the 60-day notice period if the Commission concludes the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. In addition, the Commission may issue the amendment prior to the expiration of the 30-day comment period if circumstances change during the 30-day comment period such that failure to act in a timely way would result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility. If the Commission takes action prior to the expiration of either the comment period or the notice period, it will publish in the
Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, any person (petitioner) whose interest may be affected by this action may file a request for a hearing and petition for leave to intervene (petition) with respect to the action. Petitions shall be filed in accordance with the Commission's “Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure” in 10 CFR part 2. Interested persons should consult 10 CFR 2.309. If a petition is filed, the presiding officer will rule on the petition and, if appropriate, a notice of a hearing will be issued.
Petitions must be filed no later than 60 days from the date of publication of this notice in accordance with the filing instructions in the “Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)” section of this document. Petitions and motions for leave to file new or amended contentions that are filed after the deadline will not be entertained absent a determination by the presiding officer that the filing demonstrates good cause by satisfying the three factors in 10 CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i) through (iii).
If a hearing is requested and the Commission has not made a final determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration, the Commission will make a final determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which will serve to establish when the hearing is held. If the final determination is that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration, the Commission may issue the amendment and make it immediately effective, notwithstanding the request for a hearing. Any hearing would take place after issuance of the amendment. If the final determination is that the amendment request involves a significant hazards consideration, then any hearing held would take place before the issuance of the amendment unless the Commission finds an imminent danger to the health or safety of the public, in which case it will issue an appropriate order or rule under 10 CFR part 2.
A State, local governmental body, Federally recognized Indian Tribe, or designated agency thereof, may submit a petition to the Commission to participate as a party under 10 CFR 2.309(h) no later than 60 days from the date of publication of this notice. Alternatively, a State, local governmental body, Federally recognized Indian Tribe, or designated agency thereof may participate as a non-party under 10 CFR 2.315(c).
For information about filing a petition and about participation by a person not a party under 10 CFR 2.315, see ADAMS Accession No. ML20340A053 (
All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including documents filed by an interested State, local governmental body, Federally recognized Indian Tribe, or designated agency thereof that requests to participate under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be filed in accordance with 10 CFR 2.302. The E-Filing process requires participants to submit and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in some cases, to mail copies on electronic storage media, unless an exemption permitting an alternative filing method, as further discussed, is granted. Detailed guidance on electronic submissions is located in the “Guidance for Electronic Submissions to the NRC” (ADAMS Accession No. ML13031A056)
To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the Office of the Secretary by email at
Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is available on the NRC's public website at
A person filing electronically using the NRC's adjudicatory E-Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC's Electronic Filing Help Desk through the “Contact Us” link located on the NRC's public website at
Participants who believe that they have good cause for not submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing stating why there is good cause for not filing electronically and requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper format. Such filings must be submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(b)-(d). Participants filing adjudicatory documents in this manner are responsible for serving their documents on all other participants. Participants granted an exemption under 10 CFR 2.302(g)(2) must still meet the electronic formatting requirement in 10 CFR 2.302(g)(1), unless the participant also seeks and is granted an exemption from 10 CFR 2.302(g)(1).
Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the NRC's electronic hearing docket, which is publicly available at
For further details with respect to this action, see the application for license amendment dated January 29, 2025 (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML25029A188).
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Postal Regulatory Commission.
Notice.
This document acknowledges that the Commission will be conducting an off-the-record technical conference to discuss how its streamlined mechanisms for reviewing requests to add negotiated service agreements to the Competitive product list function and to address other questions regarding the Commission's new rules for Competitive negotiated service agreements.
David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.
On August 9, 2024, the Commission issued an order adopting regulations regarding Competitive negotiated service agreements (NSAs).
The technical conference is open to all interested persons. The Postal Service and the Public Representative, Christopher C. Mohr, must attend the technical conference.
To participate in this technical conference, it is not necessary to intervene formally in this docket. However, registration in advance is required, as follows. Each individual seeking to participate in the technical conference via Microsoft Teams using an individual device (
• your first and last name;
• your email address (to receive the Microsoft Teams link);
• your affiliation (if you are participating in your capacity as an employee, officer, member, or representative of an entity such as a corporation, association, or government agency) and job title;
• a list of any questions or topics regarding the Commission's new rules for Competitive NSAs that you request to be addressed at the technical conference;
• For individuals affiliated with the Postal Service, expected role at the technical conference (
Each individual representing the Postal Service, as well as the Public Representative, is required to submit an email to
The
Before the technical conference, the Commission will email each identified individual a Microsoft Teams link, an explanation of how to connect to the technical conference, and information regarding the agenda, schedule, and procedures to be followed (in addition to those identified in this Order).
Because the technical conference concerns the Commission's regulations for Competitive NSAs, and not any specific Competitive NSA, the Commission does not expect that participants will have a need to discuss any non-public information during the technical conference. However, if any participant wishes to discuss non-public information during the technical conference, such participant must file a motion in accordance with 39 CFR 3010.160 no later than April 30, 2025, requesting that appropriate protective measures be adopted for the technical conference. Unless such a motion is granted, non-public information should not be raised at the technical conference.
The technical conference may be recorded, and such recording may be posted publicly.
Because technical conferences are “off the record,” information obtained during the technical conference or as a result of the technical conference is not part of the decisional record.
1. A technical conference will be held on May 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EDT as set forth in the body of this Order.
2. The Postal Service must participate in the technical conference.
3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Christopher C. Mohr shall continue to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. The Public Representative must participate in the technical conference.
4. By April 30, 2025, the Public Representative, individuals representing the Postal Service, and any other interested persons must register for the technical conference as described in this Order.
5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the
By the Commission.
Postal Regulatory Commission.
Notice.
The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing for the Commission's consideration concerning a negotiated service agreement. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing Online system at
David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.
Pursuant to 39 CFR 3041.405, the Commission gives notice that the Postal Service filed request(s) for the Commission to consider matters related to Competitive negotiated service agreement(s). The request(s) may propose the addition of a negotiated
The public portions of the Postal Service's request(s) can be accessed via the Commission's website (
Section II identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, if any, that will be reviewed in a public proceeding as defined by 39 CFR 3010.101(p), the title of each such request, the request's acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. For each such request, the Commission appoints an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in the proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 and 39 CFR 3000.114 (Public Representative). Section II also establishes comment deadline(s) pertaining to each such request.
The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service's request(s) identified in Section II, if any, are consistent with the policies of title 39. Applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3035, and 39 CFR part 3041. Comment deadline(s) for each such request, if any, appear in Section II.
Section III identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, if any, to add a standardized distinct product to the Competitive product list or to amend a standardized distinct product, the title of each such request, the request's acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. Standardized distinct products are negotiated service agreements that are variations of one or more Competitive products, and for which financial models, minimum rates, and classification criteria have undergone advance Commission review.
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None.
This Notice will be published in the
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 18, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 20, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 21, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 21, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 20, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 21, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Postal Service
Notice.
The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add a domestic shipping services contract to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List.
Sean C. Robinson, 202-268-8405.
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on February 20, 2025, it filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a
Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”).
Notice.
Notice of application for an order under Section 3(b)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Act”).
Marqeta, Inc.
Applicant seeks an order under Section 3(b)(2) of the Act declaring it to be primarily engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. Applicant states that it is in the business of providing a technology-based payment card issuing platform, along with related services, to its customers.
The application was filed on December 17, 2024.
An order granting the requested relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing by emailing the Commission's Secretary at
The Commission:
Adam Lovell, Senior Counsel, or Terri G. Jordan, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6825 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).
The following is a summary of the application. For Applicant's representations, legal analysis, and conditions, please refer to Applicant's application, dated December 17, 2024, which may be obtained via the Commission's website by searching for the file number at the top of this document, or for an Applicant using the Company name search field, on the SEC's EDGAR system. The SEC's EDGAR system may be searched at
1. Applicant states that it is a Delaware corporation formed in 2010 that, directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
2. Applicant states that its business is highly capital intensive, requires research and development activities (“R&D”) of new technologies, and does not involve Applicant acquiring or retaining significant “hard” operating assets. Applicant states that it maintains significant cash reserves that it seeks to invest for purposes of conserving capital and providing liquidity until the funds are used in its payment card issuing platform and cloud-based infrastructure business. As described more fully in the application, Applicant states that it requires significant liquid capital primarily to finance operations of the Applicant's payment card issuing platform and cloud-based infrastructure business. Applicant states that it has substantial costs related to providing its employees compensation and benefits, acquiring and maintaining technology the Applicant purchases or licenses from third parties, and accessing legal, compliance, audit, and other professional services necessary to operating a public company in the payments infrastructure industry. Applicant states that it also needs to invest on an ongoing basis in capital expenditures.
3. Applicant states that it has financed operations primarily through offerings of its equity securities, but ultimately seeks to generate cash from its operations to support its business. Applicant states that it seeks to preserve capital and maintain liquidity, pending the use of such capital for its operations, by investing in “Capital Preservation Instruments.”
1. Applicant seeks an order under Section 3(b)(2) of the Act declaring that it is primarily engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and therefore is not an investment company as defined in the Act.
2. Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Act defines the term “investment company” to include an issuer that is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Section 3(a)(l)(C) of the Act further defines an investment company as an issuer that is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities, and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value in excess of 40% of the value of the issuer's total assets (exclusive of Government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Section 3(a)(2) of the Act defines “investment securities” to include all securities except Government securities, securities issued by employees' securities companies, and securities issued by majority-owned subsidiaries of the owner which (a) are not investment companies and (b) are not relying on the exclusions from the definition of investment company in Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Act. Applicant states that it has never been, is not now, and does not propose to be, primarily engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning,
3. Section 3(b)(2) of the Act provides that, notwithstanding Section 3(a)(l)(C) of the Act, the Commission may issue an order declaring an issuer to be primarily engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities directly, through majority-owned subsidiaries, or controlled companies conducting similar types of businesses. Applicant requests an order under Section 3(b)(2) of the Act declaring that it is primarily engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities, and therefore is not an investment company as defined in the Act.
4. In determining whether an issuer is “primarily engaged” in a non-investment company business under Section 3(b)(2) of the Act, the Commission considers the following factors: (a) the company's historical development, (b) its public representations of policy, (c) the activities of its officers and directors, (d) the nature of its present assets, and (e) the sources of its present income.
5. Applicant submits that it satisfies the criteria for issuance of an order under Section 3(b)(2) of the Act because Applicant is primarily engaged in the business of providing a technology-based payment card issuing platform, along with related services, and is not in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities.
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For the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2024, Applicant states that it earned $27.8 million of net investment income, a decrease compared to $30.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Applicant states that this nonetheless represents less than 7.5% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Applicant states that the decrease in net investment income is due to the decrease in interest rates in the fixed income markets.
7. Applicant asserts that its historical development, its public representations of policy, the activities of its officers and directors, the nature of its assets and its sources of revenue and income, as discussed in the application, demonstrate that it is engaged primarily in a business other than that of
Applicant agrees that an order granted pursuant to the application will be subject to the following conditions:
1. Applicant will continue to use its accumulated cash and securities to support its primary business (as such business is described in this Application);
2. Applicant will refrain from investing or trading in securities for speculative purposes; and
3. No more than 10% of Applicant's total assets will consist of investment securities other than Capital Preservation Instruments (as such capitalized term is defined in Applicant's Application). For purposes of this condition, “total assets” excludes cash items (including securities issued by money market funds registered under the Act) and Government securities (as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the Act). This percentage is to be determined on an unconsolidated basis, except that Applicant should consolidate its financial statements with the financial statements of any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit the existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for reinstatement without change.
On February 6, 2003, the Commission published final rules, effective August 5, 2003, entitled “Standards of Professional Conduct for Attorneys Appearing and Practicing Before the Commission in the Representation of an Issuer” (17 CFR 205.1-205.7). The information collection embedded in the rules is necessary to implement the Standards of Professional Conduct for Attorneys prescribed by the rule and required by Section 307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7245). The rules impose an “up-the-ladder” reporting requirement when attorneys appearing and practicing before the Commission become aware of evidence of a material violation by the issuer or any officer, director, employee, or agent of the issuer. An issuer may choose to establish a qualified legal compliance committee (“QLCC”) as an alternative procedure for reporting evidence of a material violation. In the rare cases in which a majority of a QLCC has concluded that an issuer did not act appropriately, the information may be communicated to the Commission. The collection of information is, therefore, an important component of the Commission's program to discourage violations of the federal securities laws and promote ethical behavior of attorneys appearing and practicing before the Commission.
This information collection requirement was previously approved by OMB, but the approval expired on November 30, 2021. Accordingly, the Commission will request a reinstatement without change of OMB's approval.
The respondents to this collection of information are attorneys who appear and practice before the Commission and, in certain cases, the issuer, and/or officers, directors and committees of the issuer. We believe that, in providing quality representation to issuers, attorneys report evidence of violations to others within the issuer, including the Chief Legal Officer, the Chief Executive Officer, and, where necessary, the directors. In addition, officers and directors investigate evidence of violations and report within the issuer the results of the investigation and the remedial steps they have taken or sanctions they have imposed. Except as discussed below, we therefore believe that the reporting requirements imposed by the rule are “usual and customary” activities that do not add to the burden that would be imposed by the collection of information.
Certain aspects of the collection of information, however, may impose a burden. For an issuer to establish a QLCC, the QLCC must adopt written procedures for the confidential receipt, retention, and consideration of any report of evidence of a material violation. We estimate for purposes of the PRA that there are approximately 11,484 issuers that are subject to the rules.
The estimate of average burden hours is made solely for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act, and is not derived from a comprehensive or even a representative survey or study. 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.
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.
Written comments are invited on: (a) whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden imposed by the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
The public may view and comment on this information collection request at:
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (“PRA”) (44 U.S.C. 3501
The Exchange Act sets forth a regulatory scheme for national securities exchanges. Rule 6a-1 under the Exchange Act generally requires an applicant for initial registration as a national securities exchange to file an application with the Commission on Form 1. An exchange that seeks an exemption from registration based on limited trading volume also must apply for such exemption on Form 1. Rule 6a-2 under the Exchange Act requires registered and exempt exchanges: (1) to amend the Form 1 if there are any material changes to the information provided in the initial Form 1; and (2) to submit periodic updates of certain information provided in the initial Form 1, whether such information has changed or not. The information required pursuant to Rules 6a-1 and 6a-2 is necessary to enable the Commission to maintain accurate files regarding the exchange and to exercise its statutory oversight functions. Without the information submitted pursuant to Rule 6a-1 on Form 1, the Commission would not be able to determine whether the respondent has met the criteria for registration (or an exemption from registration) set forth in Section 6 of the Exchange Act. The amendments and periodic updates of information submitted pursuant to Rule 6a-2 are necessary to assist the Commission in determining whether a national securities exchange or exempt exchange is continuing to operate in compliance with the Exchange Act.
Initial filings on Form 1 by prospective exchanges are made on a one-time basis. The Commission estimates that it will receive approximately one initial Form 1 filing per year and that each respondent would incur an average burden of 880 hours to file an initial Form 1. Therefore, the Commission estimates that the annual burden for all respondents to file the initial Form 1 would be 880 hours (one response/respondent × one respondent × 880 hours/response).
There currently are 26 entities registered as national securities exchanges. The Commission estimates that each registered or exempt exchange files eleven amendments or periodic updates to Form 1 per year, incurring an average burden of 25 hours per amendment to comply with Rule 6a-2. The Commission estimates that the annual burden for all respondents to file amendments and periodic updates to the Form 1 pursuant to Rule 6a-2 would be 7,150 hours (26 respondents × 25 hours/response × 11 responses/respondent per year).
The total estimated annual time burden associated with Rules 6a-1 and 6a-2 is thus approximately 8,030 hours (880 + 7,150).
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The public may view and comment on this information collection request at:
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),
The Exchange proposes to modify the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) to modify certain qualification bases applicable to the Customer Penny Posting Credit Tiers, Customer Posting Credit Tiers in Non-Penny Issues, and Customer Incentive Program to reduce the requisite average daily volume (“ADV”) and exclude sub-dollar securities from such calculation. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective February 14, 2025.
The proposed rule change, including the Exchange's statement of the purpose of, and statutory basis for, the proposed rule change, is available on the Exchange's website at
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
Request for comments and notice of public hearing.
USTR requests written comments regarding potential trade action in connection with the Section 301 investigation of China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. USTR also will convene a public hearing and accept rebuttal comments in relation to the potential action.
Submit documents in response to this notice, including written comments, rebuttal comments, and requests to appear through USTR's electronic portal:
For questions concerning the investigation or issues with online submissions, please contact Chairs of the Section 301 Committee Megan Grimball and Philip Butler, Associate General Counsels Thomas Au and Amanda Lee, or Assistant General Counsels Henry Smith, Anjani Nadadur, or David Salkeld at 202.395.5725.
On March 12, 2024, petitioners
On April 17, 2024, after USTR consulted with the appropriate advisory committees and the interagency Section 301 Committee, the U.S. Trade Representative initiated an investigation of China's targeting the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
The notice of initiation solicited written comments on,
• China's acts, policies, and practices targeting the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
• Whether China's acts, policies, and practices targeting the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance are unreasonable or discriminatory.
• China's efforts to dominate the global maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, including the upstream and downstream supply chain, as well as shipping services.
• Information on other acts, policies, and practices of China relating to the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
• Whether China's acts, policies, and practices burden or restrict U.S. commerce, and if so, the nature and level of the burden or restriction.
The public submissions are available at:
Based on the information obtained during the investigation, USTR released a public report on the investigation. The report supports the determination that China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and thus is actionable. The report is available on USTR's website at:
As detailed in the report, for nearly three decades, China has targeted the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance and has employed increasingly aggressive and specific targets in pursuing dominance. China has largely achieved its dominance goals, severely disadvantaging U.S. companies, workers, and the U.S. economy generally through lessened competition and commercial opportunities and through the creation of economic security risks from dependencies and vulnerabilities.
Top-down industrial planning and targeting is a critical feature of China's state-led, non-market economic system. China organizes the development of its economy at a high level through broad national-level five-year economic and social development plans. It then employs industry-specific plans that typically align chronologically with the national five-year plans. These plans often contain detailed quantitative and qualitative targets, including for production, domestic content, and domestic and international market shares, and outline the non-market policies and practices China should use to achieve these targets. China's plans reveal its targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
Market share targets necessitate substitution by Chinese companies at the expense of foreign competitors—for Chinese companies to gain market share, they must displace foreign companies in existing markets and take new markets as they develop in the future. China's industrial targets have become more aggressive and sophisticated over the years.
China's targeting of these sectors for dominance has undercut competition and taken market share with dramatic effect: raising China's shipbuilding market share from less than 5 percent of global tonnage in 1999, to over 50 percent in 2023; increasing China's ownership of the commercial world fleet to over 19 percent as of January 2024; and controlling production of 95 percent of shipping containers and 86 percent of the world's supply of intermodal chassis, among other components and products.
Based on the information obtained during the investigation, as reflected in the public report on the investigation, and taking account of public comments, as well as the advice of the interagency Section 301 Committee and advisory committees, the U.S. Trade Representative determined that China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and thus is actionable under Sections 301(b) and 304(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2411(b) and 2414(a)).
In particular, the U.S. Trade Representative determined that China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance is unreasonable because it displaces foreign firms, deprives market-oriented businesses and their workers of commercial opportunities, and lessens competition, and creates dependencies on China, increasing risk and reducing supply chain resilience. China's targeting for dominance also is unreasonable because of China's extraordinary control over its economic actors and these sectors.
Furthermore, the U.S. Trade Representative determined that China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance burdens or restricts U.S. commerce by undercutting business opportunities for and investments in the U.S. maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors; restricting competition and choice; creating economic security risks from dependence and vulnerabilities in sectors critical to the functioning of the U.S. economy; and undermining supply chain resilience.
The dominant positions China seeks and increasingly achieves in each sector, give it market power over global supply, pricing, and access. In order to create leverage to obtain the elimination of China's targeting of these sectors for dominance, USTR proposes to take action against certain services of China and also action on a nondiscriminatory basis on certain services, including those supplied using Chinese goods.
Section 301(b) provides that upon determining that the acts, policies, and practices under investigation are actionable and that action is appropriate, the U.S. Trade Representative shall take all appropriate and feasible action authorized under Section 301(c), subject to the specific direction, if any, of the President regarding such action, and all other appropriate and feasible action within the power of the President that the President may direct the U.S. Trade Representative to take under Section 301(b), to obtain the elimination of that act, policy, or practice.
Section 301(c) of the Trade Act authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to take certain actions for purposes of carrying out the provisions of Section 301(b). For example, Section 301(c)(1)(B) authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to “impose duties or other import restrictions on the goods of [the foreign country subject to the investigation] and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, fees or restrictions on the services of, such foreign country for such time as the Trade Representative determines appropriate”. Section 301(c)(3)(A) provides that actions that the U.S. Trade Representative is authorized to take may be taken against any good or economic sector on a non-discriminatory basis or solely against the foreign country concerned.
Pursuant to Sections 301(b) and (c), the U.S. Trade Representative proposes that action is appropriate and that appropriate and feasible action may include one or more of the following options. Any fees, charges, or restrictions that may be imposed would be cumulative and additional to other existing or proposed fees, charges, or restrictions.
• Service Fee on Chinese Maritime Transport Operators:
○ A vessel operator of China to be charged a fee on the international maritime transport being provided (a) at a rate of up to $1,000,000 per entrance of any vessel of that operator to a U.S. port; or (b) per entrance of any vessel of that operator to a U.S. port, at a rate of up to $1,000 per net ton of the vessel's capacity.
• Service Fee on Maritime Transport Operators with Fleets Comprised of Chinese-Built Vessels:
○ Upon the entrance of a Chinese-built vessel to a U.S. port, a fee to be charged to that vessel's operator on the international maritime transport provided via that vessel (a) at a rate of up to $1,500,000; (b) based on the percentage of Chinese-built vessels in that operator's fleet: for operators with 50 percent or greater of their fleet comprised of Chinese-built vessels, the operator will be charged up to $1,000,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port; for operators with greater than 25 percent and less than 50 percent of their fleet comprised of Chinese-built vessels, the operator will be charged a fee up to $750,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port; for operators with greater than 0 percent and less than 25 percent of their fleet comprised of Chinese-built vessels, the operator will be charged a fee up to $500,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port; or (c) based on the percentage of Chinese-built vessels in an operator's fleet: an additional fee of up to $1,000,000 will be charged to a vessel operator per vessel entrance to a U.S. port if the number of Chinese-built vessels in the operator's fleet is equal to or greater than 25 percent.
• Service Fee on Maritime Transport Operators with Prospective Orders for Chinese Vessels:
○ An additional fee based on the percentage of vessels ordered from Chinese shipyards: (a) for operators with 50 percent or greater of their vessel orders in Chinese shipyards or vessels expected to be delivered by Chinese shipyards over the next 24 months, the operator will be charged up to $1,000,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port; for operators with greater than 25 percent and less than 50 percent of their vessel orders in Chinese shipyards or expected to be delivered by Chinese shipyards over the next 24 months, the operator will be charged up to $750,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port; for operators with greater than 0 percent and less than 25 percent of their vessel orders in Chinese shipyards or expected to be delivered by Chinese shipyards over the next 24 months, the operator will be charged up to $500,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port; or (b) a fee of up to $1,000,000 per vessel entrance to a U.S. port will be charged to a vessel operator if 25 percent or more of the total number of vessels ordered by that operator, or expected to be delivered to that operator, are ordered or expected to be delivered by Chinese shipyards over the next 24 months.
• Service Fee Remission for Maritime Transport via U.S.-built Vessels:
○ Additional fees on the maritime transport services charged to an operator addressed in this section, may be refunded, on a calendar year basis, in an amount up to $1,000,000 per entry into a U.S. port of a U.S.-built vessel through which the operator is providing international maritime transport services.
• The international maritime transport of all U.S. goods, such as capital goods, consumer goods, agricultural products, and chemical, petroleum, or gas products, must comply with the following schedule:
○ Effective as of the date of action, the international maritime transport of at least 1 percent of U.S. products, per calendar year, that is exported by vessel, is restricted to export on U.S.-flagged vessels by U.S. operators.
○ Effective as of 2 years following the date of action, the international maritime transport of at least 3 percent of U.S. products, per calendar year, that is exported by vessel, is restricted to export on U.S.-flagged vessels by U.S. operators.
○ Effective as of 3 years following the date of action, the international maritime transport of at least 5 percent of U.S. goods, per calendar year, that is exported by vessel, is restricted to export on U.S.-flagged vessels by U.S. operators, of which 3 percent must be U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built vessels, by U.S. operators.
○ Effective as of 7 years following the date of action, the international maritime transport of at least 15 percent of U.S. goods, per calendar year, is restricted to export on U.S.-flagged vessels by U.S. operators, of which 5 percent must be U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built vessels, by U.S. operators.
• The international maritime transport of U.S. goods must comply with the following restriction:
○ U.S. goods are to be exported on U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built vessels, but may be approved for export on a non-U.S.-built vessel provided the operator providing international maritime transport services demonstrates that at least 20 percent of U.S. products, per calendar year, that the operator will transport by vessel, will be transported on U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built ships.
• Actions to reduce exposure to and risks from China's promotion of the National Transportation and Logistics Public Information Platform (LOGINK) or other similar platforms, such as recommending that relevant U.S. agencies investigate alleged anticompetitive practices from Chinese shipping companies, restricting LOGINK access to U.S. shipping data, or banning or continuing to ban terminals at U.S. ports and U.S. ports from using LOGINK software.
In addition to the proposed actions, the U.S. Trade Representative also may consider entering into negotiations with allies and partners in order to counteract China's acts, policies, and practices and to reduce dependencies on China in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.
In accordance with Section 304(b) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2414(b)), USTR invites comments from interested persons with respect to the proposed action to be taken in response to the acts, policies, and practices of China determined to be unreasonable or discriminatory, and to burden or restrict U.S. commerce. USTR requests comments with respect to the following considerations in the relation proposed actions:
• The level of the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce arising from China's targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
• The appropriate trade to be covered by responsive actions, including the type and level.
• Whether the proposed fees or restrictions on services are appropriate, including the type of services to be subject to fees or restrictions, the level of fees or restrictions, the structure of any fees, restrictions, or reimbursement of fees on services.
In commenting on proposed actions, USTR requests that commenters specifically address whether a proposed action would be practicable or effective to obtain the elimination of China's acts, policies, and practices.
To be assured of consideration, you must submit written comments on the proposed action by March 24, 2025, and post-hearing rebuttal comments seven calendar days after the last day of the public hearing.
The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, beginning at 10 a.m. on March 24, 2025. You must submit requests to appear at the hearing by March 10, 2025. The request to appear should include a summary of the testimony, and may be accompanied by a pre-hearing submission. Remarks at the hearing may be no longer than five
To participate in the hearing, you must submit a request to appear at the hearing using the appropriate docket on the electronic portal at
You must submit written comments and rebuttal comments using docket number USTR-2025-0002 on the electronic portal at
You do not need to establish an account to submit comments. The first screen of each docket allows you to enter identification and contact information. Third party organizations such as law firms, trade associations, or customs brokers, should identify the full legal name of the organization they represent, and identify the primary point of contact for the submission. Information fields are optional; however, your comment or request may not be considered if insufficient information is provided.
Fields with a gray Business Confidential Information (BCI) notation are for BCI information which will not be made publicly available. Fields with a green (Public) notation will be viewable by the public.
After entering the identification and contact information, you can complete the remainder of the comment, or any portion of it by clicking “Next.” You may upload documents at the end of the form and indicate whether USTR should treat the documents as business confidential or public information.
Any page containing BCI must be clearly marked `BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL' on the top of that page and the submission should clearly indicate, via brackets, highlighting, or other means, the specific information that is BCI. If you request business confidential treatment, you must certify in writing that disclosure of the information would endanger trade secrets or profitability, and that the information would not customarily be released to the public.
Parties uploading attachments containing BCI also must submit a public version of their comments. If these procedures are not sufficient to protect BCI or otherwise protect business interests, please contact the USTR Section 301 support line at 202.395.5725 to discuss whether alternative arrangements are possible.
USTR will post attachments uploaded to the docket for public inspection, except for properly designated BCI. You can view submissions on USTR's electronic portal at
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
Notice of information collection; request for comment.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On November 4, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 31, 2025.
Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to
Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at email:
The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages.
Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of information, it must provide 30 days' notice for public comment. Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d);
Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (3) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public, including the
The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB clearance as the PRA requires:
FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information that does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury.
Notice.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
This action was issued on February 20, 2025. See
OFAC: Associate Director for Global Targeting, 202-622-2420; Assistant Director for Licensing, 202-622-2480; Assistant Director for Sanctions Compliance & Evaluation, 202-622-2490 or
The SDN List and additional information concerning OFAC sanctions programs are available on OFAC's website:
On February 20, 2025, OFAC determined that the property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of the following persons are blocked under the relevant sanctions authorities listed below.
1. KABAREBE, James, Rwanda; DOB 23 Dec 1959; POB Rwanda; alt. POB Uganda; nationality Rwanda; Gender Male; Passport PD101127 (Rwanda) expires 01 Jul 2027; alt. Passport PD101374 (Rwanda) expires 14 Nov 2028; alt. Passport RW01119 (Rwanda) (individual) [DRCONGO].
Designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(C)(1) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13413 of October 27, 2006, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” as amended by E.O. 13671 of July 8, 2014, “Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (E.O. 13413, as amended) for being responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
2. KINGSTON, Lawrence Kanyuka (a.k.a. KANYUKA, Lawrence Kingston), North Kivu, Congo, Democratic Republic of the; 12 Rue Chevalier, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses 94210, France; 66 Cranberry Lane, London E16 4PE, United Kingdom; 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX, United Kingdom; DOB 19 Jul 1970; POB Kinshasa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the; nationality Congo, Democratic Republic of the; alt. nationality United Kingdom; Gender Male; Passport 518058784 (United Kingdom) expires 10 Jul 2024 (individual) [DRCONGO] (Linked To: M23).
Designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(G) of E.O. 13413 as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, M23, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended.
1. KINGSTON FRESH LTD, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX, United Kingdom; Organization Established Date 05 Oct 2016; Organization Type: Other food service activities; Company Number 10410781 (United Kingdom) [DRCONGO] (Linked To: KINGSTON, Lawrence Kanyuka).
Designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(G) of E.O. 13413, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended.
2. KINGSTON HOLDING, 229 Rue Saint Honore, Paris, Ile-de-France 75001, France; website
Designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(G) of E.O. 13413, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended.