To:     Ron Methier, SESARM  From:      Kirstin B. Thesing

Date:  June 24, 2011 Subject:  Growth and Control Factor Development for                 Aircraft, Commercial Marine Vessels, and Locomotives

Comments:

This memorandum describes how TranSystems|Pechan estimated growth factors for aircraft, as well as growth and control factors for commercial marine vessels and locomotives.  These growth and control factors can be used by SEMAP State and local agencies to prepare forecast year inventories for years 2017-2025 from a 2007 base year.

1.	Aircraft

Aircraft emission estimates were developed for the following SCCs for the 2007 SEMAP base year inventory.

Description SCC Military Aircraft 2275001000 Commercial Aircraft 2275020000 General Aviation - Piston 2275050011 General Aviation - Turbine 2275050012 Air Taxi - Piston 2275060011 Air Taxi - Turbine 2275060012 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) 2275070000 4-Stroke Gasoline Ground Support Equipment (GSE) 2265008005 LPG GSE 2267008005 CNG GSE 2268008005 Diesel GSE 2270008005

Growth factors for all aircraft engine and airport-related SCCs were based on state-level landing and take-off operation (LTO) projections available from the Federal Aviation Administration's Terminal Area Forecasts (TAF) (FAA, 2010).  Forecasts of LTOs are available for commercial, military, general aviation and air taxi operations (both itinerant and local).  Commercial aircraft LTO data were used to develop growth factors for the APU and ground support equipment (GSE) categories.  All growth factors were calculated relative to 2007 LTO data.  Growth rates for military aircraft were held constant at 2007 levels.  Forecasts of LTOs for individual airports/facilities in the TAF assigned to counties were compiled by aircraft type for the select forecast year, and summed to the county level.  Since all airports and their associated LTOs in the TAF could not be readily assigned to counties, State average growth factors were also calculated. Traditionally, control factors have not been applied to aircraft for criteria pollutant forecasts.  Quantitative information on reductions has not been available, and the reductions from these standards are believed to be minimal.  EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality has an active project that is designed to help them better understand the impact of ICAO standards on commercial aircraft NOx emission inventories.  TranSystems|Pechan contacted EPA and learned that year-specific NOx control factors accounting for rule penetration into the domestic aircraft fleet will be forthcoming, but are not yet available (Manning, 2011).  As such, no controls were developed and applied to the aircraft engine category forecasts.

2.	Commercial Marine Vessels

For the purpose of applying growth and controls for commercial marine vessels (CMVs), it was assumed that Category 1 and 2 engines typically use distillate fuels, while Category 3 engines primarily use residual blends.  As such, Category 1 & 2 growth and control factors were applied to diesel in-port and underway SCCs<PHONE_NUMBER> and<PHONE_NUMBER>), and Category 3 growth factors and reductions were applied to residual in-port and underway SCCs<PHONE_NUMBER> and<PHONE_NUMBER>).

TranSystems|Pechan developed growth factors for residual CMVs using average annual growth rates by region developed by EPA for the RIA to support their Category 3 engine rulemaking (EPA, 2009a).  Regional growth rates are available for designated states in the East Coast region, as well as the Gulf Coast Region.  These same growth rates were used to estimate 2007 SEMAP emissions from the available 2008 NEI emission estimates for residual CMV emission estimates (Pechan, 2010).

For diesel engine CMV emissions, TranSystems|Pechan calculated growth factors based on fuel consumption forecasts published by the EIA.  Table 67 of EIA's Annual Energy Outlook, 2010 provides national-level forecasts of distillate oil (diesel) energy consumption (in trillion Btu) by domestic and international shipping sectors for years out to 2035 (EIA, 2010).

In 2009, EPA promulgated new emission standards for certain categories of diesel engines used in CMVs.  TranSystems|Pechan developed CMV control factors using information from EPA's regulatory impact analyses (RIA) for these emission standards (EPA, 2008; EPA, 2009a).

Control factors for Category 1 & 2 engines were developed based on emission reductions calculated from national base case and control case inventories developed for the years 2002 through 2040 (EPA, 2008).  These control factors account for both the level of control required by the standard (i.e., control efficiency) as well as the measure of rule penetration (i.e., what fraction of the fleet is meeting the specific level of control).  TranSystems|Pechan estimated emission reductions and control factors for the chosen forecast year relative to any reductions expected to occur in the 2007 base year.  Emission reductions were modeled for NOx, SO2, PM-10, PM-2.5, and VOC for Category 1 & 2 engines.

Control factors for Category 3 engines were developed from EPA regional base case and control case inventories.  EPA's RIA for Category 3 engines includes base and control case inventories for select years out to 2030 (EPA, 2009a).  Region-specific control factors were developed for the selected forecast year based on EPA's inventories for the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the U.S.  Using EPA designations, SESARM States/counties were assigned to the East Coast or Gulf Coast region.  Emission reductions were modeled for NOx, SO2, PM-10, and PM-2.5 for Category 3 engines.

3.	Locomotives

Base year emissions for locomotives are reported for the following SCCs:

   *<PHONE_NUMBER>  -  Diesel Class I Line Haul    *<PHONE_NUMBER>  -  Diesel Class II/III Line Haul     *<PHONE_NUMBER>  -  Diesel Passenger (Amtrak)    *<PHONE_NUMBER>  -  Diesel Commuter    *<PHONE_NUMBER>  -  Diesel Switchyard Locomotives

For Class I and Class II/III line haul and diesel switchyard operations, TranSystems|Pechan calculated growth factors based on freight rail sector fuel consumption forecasts, as published by the EIA.  Table 67 of EIA's Annual Energy Outlook, 2010 provides national-level forecasts of freight rail distillate oil (diesel) consumption (in trillion Btu) out to 2035 (EIA, 2010).  For passenger and commuter rail, growth factors were developed from national forecasts of intercity rail diesel consumption, and commuter rail diesel consumption, available from Table 46 of the Annual Energy Outlook, 2010 (EIA, 2010).

Similar to CMVs, diesel locomotive engines are subject to revised Federal Tier 0, Tier 1, and Tier 2 standards, as well as new Tier 3 and 4 standards.  TranSystems|Pechan developed control factors for diesel-powered locomotive engine emissions based on EPA's locomotive engine RIA and associated emission factor guidance (EPA, 2008; EPA, 2009b).  TranSystems|Pechan compiled fleet-average emission factors published by EPA for 2007 and the chosen forecast year, and calculated the incremental reductions expected over this time period.  Future year emission factors are available for Large Class I Line Haul, Small Class II/III Line Haul, Switchyard, and Passenger/Commuter operations.  Reductions were modeled for NOx, PM-10, PM-2.5, VOC, as well as SO2.

4.	File Formats

To transmit the relevant nonroad growth and control information, we prepared the following Excel files.  Descriptions of their content are also included.

Nonroad Growth Factor Summary.xlsx  -  This file contains growth factors by state and source category code (SCC) for each forecast year relative to 2007 (Columns K through S  -  highlighted in green).  A growth factor code and growth factor code description are also provided to indicate which set of data were used to develop each growth factor.  County-level growth factors were developed for some counties for residual CMV (to reflect available regional growth rates), and for aircraft where airports and their associated LTOs from the TAF could be matched to counties.  The geographic resolution of the growth factors is indicated in Column J, "Geography."  The state or county to which the growth factor applies is listed under Column A, "FIPS."  State or local agencies should first match nonroad category growth factors by SCC and FIPS county, and where there is no match at the county level, the state-level GF should be used.

SEMAP Rail and CMV Control Factors.xlsx  -  This file contains two sheets - "Locomotive Controls," and "CMV Controls."  In both sheets, control factors (CF) by state or county and SCC are provided for each forecast year relative to 2007 (highlighted in yellow and labeled as 2017 CF, 2018 CF, etc.)   Values for control efficiency (CE), rule penetration (RP), and rule effectiveness (RE), that comprise the overall control factor, are also included.  Control efficiency for each SCC was determined by compiling the control efficiency of the most stringent Tier associated with a standard, relative to the baseline control.  Rule effectiveness was always assumed to be 100%.  Rule penetration was then estimated based on the CE, RE, and final CF value.  All values are expressed as a percent.  In a few cases, county-level control factors were developed (e.g., for residual CMV to reflect regional growth rates in Florida).  The state or county to which the control factor applies is listed under Column A, "FIPS."  Similar to the growth factors, State or local agencies should first match nonroad control factors by SCC and county, and where there is no match at the county level, the state-level GF should be applied.

5.	References

EIA, 2010.  Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy, "Annual Energy Outlook, 2010, with Projections through 2035," DOE/EIA-0383(2010), Energy Information Administration, Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting, Washington, DC.  May 11, 2010.

EPA 2008.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Regulatory Impact Analysis:  Control of Emissions of Air Pollution from Locomotive Engines and Marine Compression Ignition Engines Less than 30 Liters Per Cylinder," Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA-420-R-08-001.  March 2008.

EPA, 2009a.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Regulatory Impact Analysis:  Control of Emissions of Air Pollution from Category 3 Marine Diesel Engines," Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA420-R-09-019.  December 2009.

EPA, 2009b.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Emission Factors for Locomotives," Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA-420-F09-025.  April 2009.

FAA, 2010.  Federal Aviation Administration, "Terminal Area Forecasts, 2009-2030," available from http://aspm.faa.gov/main/taf.asp.  2010.

Manning, 2011. Personal Communication, Bryan Manning, EPA with K. Thesing, TranSystems|Pechan.  March 24, 2011.

Pechan, 2010.  E.H. Pechan & Associates, Inc., "Area and Nonroad 2007 Base Year Inventories, Final Report," prepared for Southeastern States Air Resource Managers, Inc.  June 2010.


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 70 (Friday, April 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20339-20340]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07693]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

UNIFIED CARRIER REGISTRATION PLAN

Sunshine Act Meeting Notice; Unified Carrier Registration Plan
Board Subcommittee Meeting

TIME AND DATE: April 16, 2020, from Noon to 3:00 p.m., Eastern time.

PLACE: This meeting will be accessible via conference call. Any
interested person may call (i) 1-877-853-5247 (US Toll Free), (ii) 1-
888-788-0099 (US Toll Free), (iii) 1-669-900-6833 (US Toll), or (iv) 1-
929-205-6099 (US Toll), Conference ID:<PHONE_NUMBER>, to listen and
participate in this meeting.

STATUS: This meeting will be open to the public.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Unified Carrier Registration Plan
Education and Training Subcommittee (the ``Subcommittee'') will
continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier
Registration Plan and Agreement. The subject matter of this meeting
will include:

Proposed Agenda

I. Call to Order--UCR Subcommittee Chair

    The Subcommittee Chair will welcome attendees, call the meeting to
order, call roll for the Subcommittee, confirm whether a quorum is
present, and facilitate self-introductions.

II. Verification of Publication of Meeting Notice--UCR Executive
Director

    The UCR Executive Director will verify the publication of the
meeting notice on the UCR website and distribution to the UCR contact
list via email followed by the subsequent publication of the notice in
the Federal Register.

III. Review and Approval of Subcommittee Agenda and Setting of Ground
Rules--Subcommittee Chair

For Discussion and Possible Subcommittee Action

    The Subcommittee Agenda will be reviewed, and the Subcommittee will
consider adoption.
Ground Rules
[rtarr8] Subcommittee action only to be taken in designated areas on
agenda
[rtarr8] Please MUTE your phone
[rtarr8] Please do not place the call on HOLD

IV. Approval of Minutes From January 27, 2020 and March 19, 2020
Meetings--UCR Operations Manager

     Draft minutes from the January 27, 2020 Education and
Training

Subcommittee meeting in San Antonio, Texas will be reviewed. The
Subcommittee will consider action to approve.
     Draft minutes from the March 19, 2020 Education and
Training Subcommittee meeting via teleconference will be reviewed. The
Subcommittee will consider action to approve.

V. Update on Education and Training Modules--UCR Technology Director

    The UCR Technology Director will review the development of each of
the three education and training modules (Enforcement, UCR 101, and
National Registration System), including format and budget. The
Subcommittee will discuss and provide comments on the education and
training modules.

VI. Role of Subcommittee in Development of Modules--UCR Technology
Director

    The UCR Technology Director will lead a discussion on the need for
assistance and guidance from the Subcommittee in the development of the
modules.

VII. Planning for Education and Training Sessions at June 8, 2020
Meeting--Subcommittee Chair

    The Subcommittee Chair will report on the latest plans for UCR to
host several live education and training sessions at the summer meeting
on June 8, 2020 in Portland, Oregon.

VIII. Other Items--Subcommittee Chair

    The Subcommittee Chair will call for any other items the
Subcommittee members would like to discuss.

IX. Adjournment--Subcommittee Chair

    Chair will adjourn the meeting.
    The agenda will be available no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time,
April 8, 2020 at: https://plan.ucr.gov.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Elizabeth Leaman, Chair, Unified
Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors,<PHONE_NUMBER>,
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
Alex B. Leath,
Chief Legal Officer, Unified Carrier Registration Plan.
[FR Doc. 2020-07693 Filed 4-8-20; 11:15 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-YL-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 168 (Thursday, August 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 60197]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18863]

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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Notice of Pre-Recorded Workshop: ``Fundamentals of Intervention
in FERC Matters''; Office of Public Participation Fundamentals for
Participating in FERC Matters

    Office of Public Participation (OPP) staff will release an
educational video on October 25, 2023, in the above-referenced
proceedings. The video, titled ``FERC Intervention: Powering Up Your
Participation'' will explain how and why a member of the public may
choose to intervene in a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
proceeding. Staff will address common questions about filing an
intervention at FERC.
    The conversation will cover intervening in energy infrastructure
projects (natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals,
or hydroelectric dams) proceedings, and in electric rates proceedings.
OPP directly helps constituents to navigate FERC proceedings by
explaining what an intervention is and how to intervene in the correct
docket. Intervention is the procedural pathway to becoming a party in a
proceeding at FERC.
    Further questions which will be addressed include: What does it
mean to file an intervention in a docket? Is that the same as filing a
comment? Does that make me a party to a case, and what does becoming a
party to a case mean? Is a lawyer required? Are there examples or
templates? What should I know before deciding to intervene?
    OPP wants to hear from you. What questions do you have? What has
been your experience intervening, commenting, or otherwise navigating a
FERC proceeding?
    The video will be posted on FERC's YouTube channel on Office of
Public Participation's playlist. It will include captioning in English
and Spanish and will be compliant with section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please
send an email to [email protected] or call toll free 1-866-208-
3372 (voice) or<PHONE_NUMBER> (TTY) or send a FAX to<PHONE_NUMBER> with
the required accommodations.
    Please file your questions or comments in the docket on or before
Wednesday September 20, 2023. If you need help with filing or have any
other questions, feel free to reach out to Matthew Rolnick of the
Commission's Office of Public Participation at [email protected]
or [email protected].

    Dated: August 25, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-18863 Filed 8-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6268-6269]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02176]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2014-0011-N-1]

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently
approved information collection request (ICR). Before submitting this
ICR for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is
soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities
identified below.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than April 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC
20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop
35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge
receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed
stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0552.''
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6216 or<PHONE_NUMBER>, or via email to Mr. Brogan at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or to Ms. Toone at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please
refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence
submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this
notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information
collection submission to OMB for approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone:
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information
Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-
6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Public Law 104-13, sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at
44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days notice to the public
for comment on information collection activities before seeking
approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A);
5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA
invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of
proposed information collection activities regarding (i) whether the
information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly
execute its functions, including whether the activities will have
practical utility; (ii) 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; (iii) ways
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of
information collection activities on the public by automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will
promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens
associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal
regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will
advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure
that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user
friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii)
accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below are brief summaries of three currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
    Title: Locomotive Cab Sanitation Standards
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0552
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection
    Abstract: The collection of information is used by FRA to promote
rail safety and the health of railroad workers by ensuring that all
locomotive crew members have access to toilet/sanitary facilities--on
as needed basis--which are functioning and hygienic. Also, the
collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads
repair defective locomotive toilet/sanitary facilities within 10
calendar days of the date on which these units becomes defective.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Frequency of Submission: One-time.
    Respondent Universe: 744 railroads.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Average time
            CFR section              Respondent universe        Total annual       per response    Total annual
                                                                 responses           (seconds)     burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.137 (d)--Defective Locomotive   744 railroads........  11,700 tags/notices..              90             293
 Toilet Facility--Tagging.

229.137 (e) Defective But Sanitary  744 railroads........  7,956 tags/notices...              90             199
 Locomotive Toilet Facility--
 Tagging.
229.137 (f) Switching or Transfer   744 railroads........  93,600 notations.....              30             780
 Service--Defective Locomotive
 Toilet Facility--Notation on
 Daily Inspection Report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Responses: 113,256.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,272 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b),
1320.8(b)(3)(vi), 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 unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Dated: Issued in Washington, DC., on January 23, 2014.
Rebecca Pennington,
Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-02176 Filed 1-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18671-18673]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07197]

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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77444; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-34]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
Exchange's Continuing Education Fee Schedule

March 25, 2016.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on March 15, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Exchange'') filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Continuing Education fee
schedule as described further below. The proposed rule change is being
filed for immediate effectiveness.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site

at http://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office of
the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to make changes to the Continuing Education
fees set forth in subsection C, FINRA Fees, of section VII, Other
Member Fees, to provide that the Continuing Education fee will be $55
if the Continuing Education session is conducted via Web delivery. The
Continuing Education fee will remain $100 if the Continuing Education
session is conducted at a testing center. The Exchange is also
eliminating the $60 Continuing Education fee for the S501 Regulatory
Element, which was discontinued by FINRA as of January 4, 2016.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Currently, Section VII, subsection C, of the Exchange's fee
schedule provides that the Continuing Education fee will be assessed
as to each individual who is required to complete the Regulatory
Element of the Continuing Education requirements pursuant to
Exchange Rule 640. This fee, which is paid directly to FINRA, is
$60.00 for each individual who is required to complete the
Proprietary Trader Regulatory Element (S501) and $100.00 for each
individual who is required to complete the S101 or S201 Regulatory
Elements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 8, 2015, the Commission approved SR-FINRA-2015-015
relating to proposed changes to FINRA Rule 1250 to provide for Web-
based delivery for completing the Regulatory Element of the Continuing
Education requirements.\4\ Pursuant to the rule change, effective
October 1, 2015, the Regulatory Element of the Continuing Education
programs for the S101 and S201 is now administered through Web-based
delivery.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75581 (July 31,
2015), 80 FR 47018 (August 6, 2015) (Order Approving a Proposed Rule
Change to Provide a Web-based Delivery Method for Completing the
Regulatory Element of the Continuing Education Requirements) (SR-
FINRA-2015-015). FINRA elected to provide a Web-based delivery
method for completing the Regulatory Element based on its evaluation
of different delivery methods and in consultation with the
Securities Industry Regulatory Council on Continuing Education (``CE
Council''). The CE Council is composed of up to 20 industry members
from broker-dealers, representing a broad cross section of industry
firms, and representatives from FINRA and other SROs as well as
liaisons from the SEC and the North American Securities
Administrators Association. See http://www.cecouncil.com. The
Exchange, with other SROs, is adopting the fee for Web based CE that
was recommended by FINRA and approved by the CE Council.
    \5\ The Regulatory Element of the S101 and S201 Continuing
Education programs will continue to be offered at testing centers
until no later than six months after January 4, 2016. Test-center
delivery of the Regulatory Element will be phased out by no later
than six months after January 4, 2016. See Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 75581 (July 31, 2015), 80 FR 47018 (August 6, 2015)
(Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Provide a Web-Based
Delivery Method for Completing the Regulatory Element of the
Continuing Education) (SR-FINRA-2015-015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to the approval order for SR-FINRA-2015-015, the fee for
test-center delivery of the Regulatory Element of the S101 and S201
Continuing Education programs will continue to be $100 per session
through no later than six months after January 4, 2016 when the program
will no longer be offered at testing centers. However, the fee for Web-
based delivery of the Regulatory Element of the S101 and S201
Continuing Education programs is now $55.
    The Exchange currently utilizes the S101 and S201 programs that are
part of the Securities Industry Continuing Education Program.\6\
Consistent with SR-FINRA-2015-015, the Exchange recently filed a
separate proposed rule change to follow the changes set forth in SR-
FINRA-2015-015 with respect to Web-based delivery of the Regulatory
Element of the Continuing Education programs.\7\ The CE Council
determined to adopt a lower Web-delivery CE fee based on the difference
between the cost of CE administered at a testing center and the cost of
CE administered by Web delivery. FINRA made this change to its fees in
SR-FINRA-2015-015 in response to the Council's decision. Consistent
with SR-FINRA-2015-015, this proposed rule change will now amend the
Exchange's fee schedule to provide that the continuing education fee is
$100.00 ($55.00 if the Continuing Education is Web-based) for each
individual who is required to complete the S101 or S201.\8\ The
Exchange is also deleting an extraneous parenthesis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Securities Industry/Regulatory Council on Continuing
Education has advisory and consultative responsibilities with regard
to the development, implementation and ongoing operation of the
Securities Industry Continuing Education Program.
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76880 (January 12,
2016), 81 FR 2928 (January 19, 2016).
    \8\ As noted above, the S501 Proprietary Trader Regulatory
Element was discontinued as of January 4, 2016. The Exchange is
therefore deleting the $60 S501 Proprietary Trader Regulatory
Element fee. The Exchange will file another proposed rule change to
eliminate the reference to the $100 Continuing Education fee when
the test center option is eliminated for the S101 and S201
Regulatory Elements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its fee schedule
is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act \9\ in general, and furthers
the objectives of section 6(b)(4) of the Act \10\ in particular, in
that it is an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other
charges among Exchange members and issuers and other persons using its
facilities. The Exchange believes that the proposal to set the
Continuing Education fee at $55 if the Continuing Education session is
conducted via Web delivery is an equitable allocation of dues, fees and
other charges because the fee change applies equally to all persons
associated with members. In addition, the Exchange believes that the
amended fee is an equitable allocation of dues, fees and other charges
as it will apply uniformly to all persons associated with the members
who choose to participate in the continuing education program through
FINRA via Web delivery. As FINRA has stated in SR-FINRA-2015-015, the
test center delivery method is expensive to operate and support, and
web-based delivery is efficient and offers significant cost savings
over test-center and in-firm deliveries. The proposed deletion of the
$60 Continuing Education fee for the S501 Regulatory Element is
reasonable because the S501 CE program has been discontinued by FINRA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Because the proposed rule
change applies to all persons associated with members who are required
to fulfill Continuing Education requirements, the proposal has no
effect on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i)
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the
protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the
proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    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. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please include
File Number SR-Phlx-2016-34 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-34. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-34 and should be
submitted on or before April 21, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-07197 Filed 3-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19670-19672]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7764]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2012-N-0294]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Food Contact Substance Notification Program

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain
information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(the PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information,
including each proposed extension of an existing collection of
information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the
notice. This notice solicits comments on the collection of information
associated with the Food Contact Substance Notification Program,
including revisions to Form FDA 3480, new Form FDA 3480A, and
electronic submission via the Electronic Submission Gateway (ESG).

DATES: Submit either electronic or written comments on the collection
of information by May 29, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information
to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments on the
collection of information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-
305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket
number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    With regard to the information collection: Denver Presley, Jr.,
Office of Information Management, Food and Drug Administration, 1350
Piccard Dr., PI50-400B, Rockville, MD 20850,<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    With regard to the Food Contact Substance Notification Program:
Kenneth A. McAdams, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food
and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy (HFS-275), College
Park, MD 20740,<PHONE_NUMBER>, Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>, email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal
Agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor.
``Collection of information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR
1320.3(c) and includes Agency requests or requirements that members of
the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a
third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A))
requires Federal Agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including
each proposed extension of an existing collection of information,
before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with
this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection
of information set forth in this document.
    With respect to the following collection of information, FDA
invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection
of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's
functions, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the
proposed 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) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including through the use of automated collection techniques, when
appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Food Contact Substance Notification Program--21 CFR 170.101, 170.106,
and 171.1 (OMB Control Number 0910-0495)--Revision

    Section 409(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the
FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. 348(h)) establishes a premarket notification
process for food contact substances. Section 409(h)(6) of the FD&C Act
defines a ``food contact substance'' as ``any substance intended for
use as a component of materials used in manufacturing, packing,
packaging, transporting, or holding food if such use is not intended to
have any technical effect in such food.'' Section 409(h)(3) of the FD&C
Act requires that the notification process be used for authorizing the
marketing of food contact substances except when: (1) FDA determines
that the submission and premarket review of a food additive petition
(FAP) under section 409(b) of the FD&C Act is necessary to provide
adequate assurance of safety or (2) FDA and the manufacturer or
supplier agree that an FAP should be submitted. Section 409(h)(1) of
the FD&C Act requires that a notification include: (1) Information on
the identity and the intended use of the food contact substance and (2)
the basis for the manufacturer's or supplier's determination that the
food contact substance is safe under the intended conditions of use.
    Sections 170.101 and 170.106 (21 CFR 170.101 and 170.106) specify
the information that a notification must contain and require that: (1)
A food contact substance notification (FCN) include a completed and
signed Form FDA 3480 and (2) a notification for a food contact
substance formulation include a completed and signed Form FDA 3479.
These forms serve to summarize pertinent information in the
notification. The forms facilitate both preparation and review of
notifications because the forms serve to organize information necessary
to support the safety of the use of the food contact substance. The
burden of filling out the appropriate form has been included in the
burden estimate for the notification.
    Currently, interested persons transmit an FCN submission to the
Office of Food Additive Safety in the Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition using Form FDA 3480 whether it is submitted in
electronic or paper format. FDA recently made minor revisions to Form
FDA 3480 to better enable its use for electronic submission and to
prompt

FCN submitters to include certain information in a standard format. FDA
estimates that the revisions to Form FDA 3480 will not change the
amount of time necessary to complete the form.
    In addition to its required use with FCNs, revised Form FDA 3480 is
recommended to be used to organize information within a Pre-
notification Consultation or Master File submitted in support of an FCN
according to the items listed on the form. Master Files can be used as
repositories for information that can be referenced in multiple
submissions to the Agency, thus minimizing paperwork burden for food
contact substance authorizations. FDA estimates that the amount of time
for respondents to complete the revised Form FDA 3480 for these types
of submissions will be 0.5 hours.
    FDA has recently developed a new form, which the Agency recommends
be used with each submission of additional information (i.e. amendment)
to an FCN submission currently under Agency review, as well as be used
to submit an amendment to a Pre-notification Consultation, or for an
amendment to Master File in support of an FCN, whether submitted in
electronic format or paper format. New Form FDA 3480A is entitled
``Amendment to an Existing Food Contact Substance Notification, a Pre-
Notification Consultation, or a Food Master File.'' The form, and
elements that would be prepared as attachments to the form, can be
submitted in electronic format. Form FDA 3480A helps the respondent
organize their submission to focus on the information needed for FDA's
safety review. FDA estimates that the amount of time for respondents to
complete the new Form FDA 3480A will be 0.5 hours because the new form,
used solely for transmitting an amendment, is much shorter than Form
FDA 3480. Amendments include the following information on new Form FDA
3480A and in attachments to the form:
     Date of submission;
     Whether the notifier has determined that all files
provided in an electronic transmission are free of computer viruses;
     Whether the submission is an amendment to an FCN
submission, a pre-notification consultation, or a master file;
     The format of the submission (i.e., ESG, transmission on
electronic physical media such as CD-ROM or DVD, or paper);
     The name of and contact information for the submitter,
including the identity of the contact person and the company name (if
applicable);
     The name of and contact information for any agent or
attorney who is authorized to act on behalf of the notifier; and
     A brief description of the information provided and the
purpose(s) of the amendment.
    Section 171.1 (21 CFR 171.1) specifies the information that a
petitioner must submit in order to: (1) Establish that the proposed use
of an indirect food additive is safe and (2) secure the publication of
an indirect food additive regulation in parts 175 through 178 (21 CFR
parts 175 through 178). Parts 175 through 178 describe the conditions
under which the additive may be safely used.
    In addition, FDA's guidance document entitled ``Use of Recycled
Plastics in Food Packaging: Chemistry Considerations'' provides
assistance to manufacturers of food packaging in evaluating processes
for producing packaging from post-consumer recycled plastic. The
recommendations in the guidance address the process by which
manufacturers certify to FDA that their plastic products are safe for
food contact.
    Description of Respondents: The respondents to this information
collection are manufacturers of food contact substances.
    FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as
follows:

                                                     Table 1--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Number of
     21 CFR section or other category              FDA form No.             Number of     responses per   Total annual    Average burden    Total hours
                                                                           respondents     respondent       responses      per response
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
170.106 \2\ (Category A).................  FDA 3479....................               5               1               5              2                10
170.101 3 7 (Category B).................  FDA 3480....................               5               1               5             25               125
170.101 4 7 (Category C).................  FDA 3480....................               5               2              10            120             1,200
170.101 5 7 (Category D).................  FDA 3480....................              33               2              66            150             9,900
170.101 6 7 (Category E).................  FDA 3480....................              30               1              30            150             4,500
Pre-notification Consultation or Master    FDA 3480....................              60               1              60              0.5              30
 File (concerning a food contact
 substance) \8\
Amendment to an existing notification      FDA 3480A...................              50               1              50              0.5              25
 (170.101), amendment to a Pre-
 notification Consultation, or amendment
 to a Master File (concerning a food
 contact substance) \9\
171.1 Indirect Food Additive Petitions...  N/A.........................               1               1               1         10,995            10,995
Use of Recycled Plastics in Food           N/A.........................              10               1              10             25               250
 Packaging: Chemistry Considerations.
                                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total................................  ............................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ...............          27,035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of information.
\2\ Notifications for food contact substance formulations and food contact articles. These notifications require the submission of Form FDA 3479
  (``Notification for a Food Contact Substance Formulation'') only.
\3\ Duplicate notifications for uses of food contact substances.
\4\ Notifications for uses that are the subject of exemptions under 21 CFR 170.39 and very simple food additive petitions.
\5\ Notifications for uses that are the subject of moderately complex food additive petitions.
\6\ Notifications for uses that are the subject of very complex food additive petitions.
\7\ These notifications require the submission of Form FDA 3480.
\8\ These notifications recommend the submission of Form FDA 3480.
\9\ These notifications recommend the submission of Form FDA 3480A.

    The forms in table 1 of this document, and elements that would be
prepared as attachments to the forms, may be submitted in electronic
format via the ESG; email, if appropriate; or may be submitted in paper
format, or as electronic files on physical media with paper signature
page. FDA expects that most if not all businesses filing these
submissions in the next 3 years will choose to take advantage of the
option of electronic submission. Thus, the burden estimates in table 1
of this document are based on the expectation of 100 percent
participation in the electronic submission process. The opportunity to
provide the information in electronic format could reduce the Agency's
previous estimates for the time to prepare each submission. However, as
a conservative approach for the purpose of this analysis, FDA is
assuming that the availability of the revised or new forms and the
opportunity to submit the information in electronic format will have no
effect on the average time to prepare a submission.
    These estimates are based on FDA's experience with the food contact
substance notification program. Based on input from industry sources,
FDA estimates that approximately five respondents will submit one
notification annually for food contact substance formulations (Form FDA
3479), for a total of five responses. FDA estimates the reporting
burden to be 2.0 hours per response, for a total burden of 10 hours.
FDA also has included five expected duplicate submissions in the second
row of table 1 of this document. FDA expects that the burden for
preparing these notifications primarily will consist of the
manufacturer or supplier filling out Form FDA 3480, verifying that a
previous notification is effective, and preparing necessary
documentation. Thus, FDA estimates that five respondents will submit
one such submission annually, for a total of five responses. FDA
estimates the reporting burden to be 25.0 hours per response, for a
total burden of 125 hours.
    Based on the submissions received, FDA identified three other tiers
of FCNs that represent escalating levels of burden required to collect
information (denoted as categories C, D, and E in the third, fourth,
and fifth rows of table 1 of this document). FDA estimated the median
number of hours necessary for collecting information for each type of
notification within each of the three tiers based on input from
industry sources. FDA estimates that 5 respondents will submit two
category C submissions annually, for a total of 10 responses. FDA
estimates the reporting burden to be 120 hours per response, for a
total burden of 1,200 hours. FDA estimates that 33 respondents will
submit two Category D submissions annually, for a total of 66
responses. FDA estimates the reporting burden to be 150 hours per
response, for a total burden of 9,900 hours. FDA estimates that 30
respondents will submit one Category E submission annually, for a total
of 30 responses. FDA estimates the reporting burden to be 150 hours per
response, for a total burden of 4,500 hours.
    Based on the submissions received, FDA estimates that 60
respondents will submit information to a pre-notification consultation
or a master file in support of FCN submission using Form FDA 3480. FDA
estimates the reporting burden to be 0.5 hours per response, for a
total burden of 30 hours.
    Based on the submissions received, FDA estimates that 50
respondents will submit an amendment (Form FDA 3480A) to a substantive
or non-substantive request of additional information to an incomplete
FCN submission, for an amendment to a pre-notification consultation, or
for an amendment to a master file in support of an FCN. FDA estimates
the reporting burden to be 0.5 hours per response, for a total burden
of 25 hours.
    Based on the submissions received, FDA estimates that one
respondent will submit one indirect food additive petition under Sec.
171.1, for a total of one response. FDA estimates the reporting burden
to be 10,995 hours per response, for a total burden of 10,995 hours.
    FDA estimates that 10 respondents will utilize the recommendations
in the guidance document entitled ``Use of Recycled Plastics in Food
Packaging: Chemistry Considerations,'' to develop the additional
information for one such submission annually, for a total of 10
responses. FDA estimates the reporting burden to be 25 hours per
response, for a total burden of 250 hours.
    As noted, FDA estimates that all of the future Form FDA 3479, 3480,
and 3480A submissions will be made electronically via the ESG. While
FDA does not charge for the use of the ESG, FDA requires respondents to
obtain a public key infrastructure certificate in order to set up the
account. This can be obtained in-house or outsourced by purchasing a
public key certificate that is valid for 1 year to 3 years. The
certificate typically costs from $20-$30.

    Dated: March 27, 2012.
Leslie Kux,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012-7764 Filed 3-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29149-29150]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12193]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0025]

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the
vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for
19 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals
from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not
compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these
exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to
or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions
for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

DATES: This decision is effective June 6, 2015. Comments must be
received on or before June 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) numbers: Docket No. [Docket No. FMCSA-2013-
0025], using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the
docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments
received without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act
heading below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want
acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement
page that appears after submitting comments on-line.

    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director,
Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards,<PHONE_NUMBER>,
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office
hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may renew an exemption
from the vision requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to
drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a two-year period if it
finds ``such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is
equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent
such exemption.'' The procedures for requesting an exemption (including
renewals) are set out in 49 CFR part 381.

II. Exemption Decision

    This notice addresses 19 individuals who have requested renewal of
their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has
evaluated these 19 applications for renewal on their merits and decided
to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are:
    Glenn Blanton (OH), Matthew J. Buersken (MN), Mark E. Haukom (MN),
Wesley D. Hogue (AR), Anthony Lang (NH), Jason C. Laub (NH), Edward J.
Lavin (CT), Wayne D. Litwiller, Sr. (IL), James McClure (NC), Luther A.
McKinney (VA), Steven J. McLain (TN), Enes Milanovic (MI), Donie L.
Rhoads (MT), Leo D. Roy (NH), Steven Schaumberg (NJ), Merreo A. Stewart
(MN), James B. Taflinger, Sr. (VA), Ronald W. Thompson (WI), Roy J.
Ware (GA)
    The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions:
(1) that each individual has a physical examination every year (a) by
an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the
better eye continues to meet the requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10),
and (b) by a medical examiner who attests that the individual is
otherwise physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each
individual provides a copy of the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's
report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical
examination; and (3) that each individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver's
qualification file and retains a copy of the certification on his/her
person while driving for presentation to a duly authorized Federal,
State, or local enforcement official. Each exemption will be valid for
two years unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be
rescinded if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower
level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3)
continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals
and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315.

III. Basis for Renewing Exemptions

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no
longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon
application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 19 applicants has satisfied the
entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision
requirements (78 FR 20376; 78 FR 34141). Each of these 19 applicants
has requested renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence
showing that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the
requirement specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and that the vision
impairment is stable. In addition, a review of each record of safety
while driving with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two
years indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption
requirements.
    These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each
driver's ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce.
Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each
renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a
level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption.

IV. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and
related materials.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (FMCSA-2013-0025), indicate the specific section of this
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material
online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of
these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing
address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your
document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding
your submission.
    To submit your comment online, got to http://www.regulations.gov
and put the docket number, ``FMCSA-2013-0025'' in the ``Keyword'' box,
and click ``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on ``Comment
Now!'' button and type your comment into the text box in the following
screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual
or on behalf of a third party and then submit. If you submit your
comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no
larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic
filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they
reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard
or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received
during the comment period and may change this notice based on your
comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this
preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert the docket number,
``FMCSA-2013-0025'' in the ``Keyword'' box and click ``Search.'' Next,
click ``Open Docket Folder'' button choose the document listed to
review. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the
docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-
140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    Issued on: May 11, 2015.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-12193 Filed 5-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EXP