[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45520-45522]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18682]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF15-14-000]

Texas LNG Brownsville, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Texas LNG Project,
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public
Scoping Meeting

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS)
examining the potential environmental effects of the Texas LNG Project
(Project), planned by Texas LNG Brownsville LLC (Texas LNG). The
Project involves the construction and operation of a liquefied natural
gas (LNG) liquefaction and export terminal on the Brownsville Ship
Channel located in Cameron County, Texas. The Project purpose is to
liquefy domestically produced natural gas, store LNG, and deliver LNG
to carriers for export overseas. The Commission will use the EIS in its
decision-making process to determine whether to authorize the Project.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies about the Project. You can make a difference by providing us
with your specific comments or concerns about the Project. Your
comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission's staff determine what
issues need to be evaluated in the EIS. To ensure that your comments
are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so that the
Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before August 24,
2015.
    If you sent comments on this Project to the Commission before the
opening of this docket on March 9, 2015, you will need to file those
comments in Docket No. PF15-14-000 to ensure they are considered as
part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this Project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this planned
Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. If you
are a landowner receiving this notice, a Texas LNG representative may
contact you about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate,
and maintain the planned facilities.

Public Participation

    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit
your comments to the Commission. The Commission will provide equal
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form
or provided verbally. The Commission encourages electronic filing of
comments and has expert staff available to assist you at<PHONE_NUMBER>
or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please carefully follow these instructions so that
your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief,
text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a
variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission.
New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on
``eRegister.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project,
please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number
(PF15-14-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A,
Washington, DC 20426.
    (4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, the
Commission invites you to attend the public scoping meeting its staff
will conduct in the Project area, scheduled as follows.

FERC Public Scoping Meeting; Tuesday, August 11, 2015, From 1:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m.; Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, 309 E. Railroad
Ave., Port Isabel, TX 78578

    You may attend at any time during the scoping meeting. There will
not be a formal presentation presented by Commission staff, but you
will be provided information about the FERC process. Commission staff
will be available to take verbal comments.
    For your convenience, we are combining the Port Isabel scoping
meetings for the three Brownsville area LNG projects currently in our
pre-filing process. Representatives of Texas LNG, as well as those of
Annova LNG Common Infrastructure, LLC for its planned Annova LNG
Brownsville Project (Docket No. PF15-15-000) and Rio Grande LNG, LLC
for its planned Rio Grande LNG Export Project and Rio Bravo Pipeline
Company, LLC for its planned Rio Bravo Pipeline Project (Docket No.
PF15-20-000) will be present to answer questions about their respective
planned projects.
    You may comment on any one, two, or all three planned projects.
Comments will be recorded by a stenographer and transcripts will be
placed into the appropriate docket(s) for the project and made
available for public viewing on FERC's eLibrary system (see page 8
``Additional Information'' for instructions on using eLibrary). We
believe it is important to note that

verbal comments hold the same weight as written or electronically
submitted comments. If a significant number of people are interested in
providing verbal comments, a time limit of 3 to 5 minutes may be
implemented for each commenter to ensure all those wishing to comment
have the opportunity to do so within the designated meeting time. Time
limits will be strictly enforced if they are implemented.
    Please note this is not your only public input opportunity; please
refer to the review process flow chart in appendix 1.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary'' or from the
Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, or call<PHONE_NUMBER>. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.
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Summary of the Planned Project

    Texas LNG plans to site, construct, and operate a natural gas
liquefaction and export terminal at the Port of Brownsville, on north
side of the Brownsville Ship Channel located in Cameron County, Texas.
The Project would have the capacity to produce 4.4 million tons of LNG
each year for export.
    Texas LNG's proposed terminal is composed of multiple LNG facility
components at an approximately 625-acre site. The Project would include
a liquefaction plant, two single containment storage tanks with a
capacity of 210,000 cubic meters (m\3\) of LNG each, an LNG carrier
berthing dock, and a materials offloading facility.
    As currently planned, the Texas LNG Project site would consist of
the following facilities:
     Natural Gas Pipeline Receiving Interface;
     Natural Gas Pretreatment Process;
     LNG Liquefaction Process;
     LNG Loading Marine Terminal;
     LNG Transfer Lines;
     LNG Storage Tanks;
     Vapor Handling System;
     Control Systems, and Safety Systems; and
     Utilities, Infrastructure, and Support Systems.
    The general location of the planned facilities is shown in appendix
2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    The planned Texas LNG Project would occupy an approximately 625-
acre property secured via a lease option and subsequent amendment from
the Brownsville Navigation District by Texas LNG. Of the approximately
625 acres, approximately 185 acres would support permanent operational
facilities, approximately 75 acres would be temporarily disturbed
during construction activities, and the remaining approximately 365
acres would be undisturbed. Of the approximately 185 acres supporting
permanent operational facilities, approximately 46 acres would be
converted to open water through excavation and dredging to create the
LNG carrier berthing area. An additional approximately 19 acres of
impacts located outside of the site boundaries would be associated with
dredging of the turning basin within the Brownsville Ship Channel.

Non-Jurisdictional Facilities

    The LNG facility would receive natural gas via a non-jurisdictional
intrastate natural gas pipeline to be constructed from the Agua Dulce
natural gas hub approximately 150 miles north of Brownsville to the
Brownsville market. This pipeline would provide natural gas to the
planned Project, industrial projects, power generation facilities, gas
utility companies, and export markets in Mexico. Texas LNG does not
plan to own or operate the proposed intrastate pipeline that will
provide feed gas supply to the Texas LNG Project. Construction of the
pipeline would likely require a construction right-of-way about 100
feet wide and additional temporary extra workspaces at features such as
road and stream crossings.
    The planned Project would also require the installation of a new
non-jurisdictional electric transmission line. To provide power to the
facility, American Electric Power would build a new approximately 10
mile long radial line to the Project site from the existing Union
Carbide Substation located near the Port of Brownsville.
    Although FERC has no regulatory authority to modify, approve, or
deny the construction of the above-described facilities, we will
disclose available information regarding the construction impacts in
the cumulative impacts section of our EIS.

The EIS Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from an action whenever it considers the authorization of LNG
facilities under Section 3a of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also requires
us \2\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about
proposals. This process is referred to as scoping. The main goal of the
scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EIS on the important
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EIS. We will
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EIS.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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    In the EIS, we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the planned Project under these
general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     land use, recreation, and visual resources;
     water resources and wetlands;
     cultural resources;
     vegetation, fisheries, and wildlife;
     endangered and threatened species;
     socioeconomics;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety and reliability; and
     cumulative impacts.
    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned Project
or portions of the Project, and make recommendations on how to lessen
or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal application has been filed, we have already
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing process.
The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early involvement
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before
the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we
have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss their
involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EIS.
    The EIS will present our independent analysis of the issues. We
will publish and distribute the draft EIS for public comment. After the
comment period, we will consider all timely comments and revise the
document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure we have
the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully
follow the instructions in the Public Participation section beginning
on page 2 of this notice.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law
and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues related
to this Project to formally cooperate with staff in preparing the
EIS.\3\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating

agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments
provided in the Public Participation section of this notice. Currently,
the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S.
Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have expressed
their intention to participate as cooperating agencies in the
preparation of the EIS.
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    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation
with applicable State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and to
solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested
Indian tribes, and the public on the Project's potential effects on
historic properties.\4\ We will define the project-specific Area of
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the Project
develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include
construction area, contractor storage yards, and access roads). Our EIS
for this Project will document our findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of consultations under Section 106.
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    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register for Historic
Places.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have identified several issues based on a preliminary review of
the planned facilities and the environmental information provided by
Texas LNG that we think deserves attention. This preliminary list of
issues may be changed based on your comments and our continued
analysis. The issues identified to date include:
     Potential impacts on water quality;
     potential impact on fisheries and aquatic resources;
     potential impact on federally listed endangered and
threatened species;
     visual effects on surrounding areas, including Port
Isabel, Laguna Vista, and South Padre Island;
     potential impacts on tourism and recreational and
commercial fisheries, including eco-tourism and the local shrimp
fishery;
     potential for disproportionate impact on lower income
communities;
     potential impacts on air quality, and associated impacts
on human health and local agricultural areas;
     public safety and hazards associated with the transport of
natural gas and LNG; and
     cumulative impacts from construction and operation of
multiple LNG facilities within the Port of Brownsville, and from the
Brownsville Ship Channel deepening project.

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for Project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the Project. Staff will update the environmental mailing
list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that it sends the information
related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by
the planned Project.
    Copies of the completed draft EIS will be sent to the environmental
mailing list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to
receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD version or would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the
attached Information Request (appendix 3).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Texas LNG files its application with the Commission, you may
want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the
Commission's proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the
process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard
by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling.
An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a
request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in
the ``Document-less Intervention Guide'' under the ``e-filing'' link on
the Commission's Web site (http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/document-less-intervention.pdf). Motions to intervene are more fully
described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp.
Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor
status at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a
formal application for the Project.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number,
excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF15-
14). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or toll free at<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY,
contact<PHONE_NUMBER>. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
    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. Go to www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    FERC public meetings or site visits will be posted on the
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
    Finally, Texas LNG has established a Web site at www.txlng.com with
further information about its planned Project.

    Dated: July 23, 2015.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-18682 Filed 7-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30298-30299]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12132]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Combined Notice of Filings 1

    Take notice that the Commission received the following electric
rate filings:

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1069-003.
    Applicants: MP2 Energy LLC.
    Description: Amendment to be effective 5/15/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-5082.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/4/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1484-000.

    Applicants: PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
    Description: Queue Position X4-023--Original Service
Agreement No. 3555 to be effective 4/11/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/13/13.
    Accession Number: 20130513-5203.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/3/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1485-000.
    Applicants: Wheelabrator Baltimore, L.P.
    Description: Market-Based Rate Tariff Application to be effective
7/1/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/13/13.
    Accession Number: 20130513-5246.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/3/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1486-000.
    Applicants: Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation.
    Description: 2013-05-14--SMMPA Byron TR9 Replcmnt Agrmt-554 to be
effective 4/10/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-5016.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/4/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1487-000.
    Applicants: Quantum Auburndale Power, LP.
    Description: Quantum Auburndale Power, LP--initial baseline filing
to be effective 5/14/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-5017.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/4/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1488-000.
    Applicants: Quantum Pasco Power, LP.
    Description: Quantum Pasco Power, LP--initial baseline filing to be
effective 5/14/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-5019.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/4/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1489-000.
    Applicants: Quantum Lake Power, LP.
    Description: Quantum Lake Power, LP Market-Based Rates Tariff to be
effective 5/14/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-5020.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/4/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1490-000.
    Applicants: Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation.
    Description: 2013-05-14--SMMPA Byron CapX Agrmt-553 to be effective
4/10/2013.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-5029.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/4/13.

    Docket Numbers: ER13-1491-000.
    Applicants: GDF SUEZ Energy Marketing NA, Inc.
    Description: GDF SUEZ Energy Marketing NA, Inc's requests a one-
time, limited waiver of the procedural deadlines set forth in Section
5.14(h)(8) of the Reliability Pricing Model rules of PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
    Filed Date: 5/14/13.
    Accession Number: 20130514-4001.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/21/13.

    The filings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by
clicking on the links or querying the docket number.
    Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above
proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the
Commission's Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) 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: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call<PHONE_NUMBER>
(toll free). For TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: May 14, 2013.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-12132 Filed 5-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72449-72450]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29610]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0689]

Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management
and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0070

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Thirty-day notice requesting comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the
U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR),
abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of a
revision to the following collection of information: 1625-0070, Vessel
Identification System. Our ICR describes the information we seek to
collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only
impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard and OIRA on or before
December 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Coast Guard docket
number [USCG-2015-0689] to the Coast Guard using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Alternatively, you
may submit comments to OIRA using one of the following means:
    (1) Email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Mail: OIRA, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503,
attention Desk Officer for the Coast Guard.
    (3) Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>. To ensure your comments are received in a
timely manner, mark the fax, attention Desk Officer for the Coast
Guard.
    A copy of the ICR is available through the docket on the Internet
at http://www.regulations.gov. Additionally, copies are available from:
Commandant (CG-612), Attn: Paperwork Reduction Act Manager, U.S. Coast
Guard, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE., Stop 7710, Washington, DC
20593-7710.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Anthony Smith, Office of
Information Management, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>, or fax<PHONE_NUMBER>,
for questions on these documents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    This Notice relies on the authority of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended. An ICR is an application to
OIRA seeking the approval, extension, or renewal of a Coast Guard
collection of information (Collection). The ICR contains information
describing the Collection's purpose, the Collection's likely burden on
the affected public, an explanation of the necessity of the Collection,
and other important information describing the Collection. There is one
ICR for each Collection.
    The Coast Guard invites comments on whether this ICR should be
granted based on the Collection being necessary for the proper
performance of Departmental functions. In particular, the Coast Guard
would appreciate comments addressing: (1) The practical utility of the
Collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the Collection;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of information
subject to the Collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the
Collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. These comments
will help OIRA determine whether to approve the ICR referred to in this
Notice.
    We encourage you to respond to this request by submitting comments
and related materials. Comments to Coast Guard or OIRA must contain the
OMB Control Number of the ICR. They must also contain the docket number
of this request, [USCG-2015-0689], and must be received by December 30,
2015.

Submitting Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions. Documents mentioned in this notice, and all public
comments, are in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and
can be viewed by following that Web site's instructions. Additionally,
if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will
be notified when comments are posted.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal
Register (70 FR 15086).
    OIRA posts its decisions on ICRs online at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain after the comment period for each ICR. An OMB Notice
of Action on each ICR will become available via a hyperlink in the OMB
Control Number: 1625-0070.

Previous Request for Comments

    This request provides a 30-day comment period required by OIRA. The
Coast Guard published the 60-day notice (80 FR 48550, August 13, 2015)
required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That Notice elicited no comments.
Accordingly, no changes have been made to the Collection.

Information Collection Request

    1. Title: Vessel Identification System.
    OMB Control Number: 1625-0070.
    Summary: The Coast Guard established a nationwide vessel
identification system (VIS) and centralized certain vessel
documentation function. VIS provides participating States and
Territories with access to data on vessels numbered by States and
Territories. Participation in VIS is voluntary.
    Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 12501 mandates the establishment of a VIS.
Title 33 CFR part 187 prescribes the requirements of VIS.
    Forms: N/A.
    Respondents: Governments of States and Territories. The estimated
number of respondents annually is 34.
    Frequency: Daily.
    Hour Burden Estimate: The estimated burden has decreased from 5,456
hours to 5,164 hours a year due to a decrease in the estimated annual
number of responses.

    Authority:  The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35, as amended.

    Dated: November 10, 2015.
Thomas P. Michelli,
Deputy Chief Information Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2015-29610 Filed 11-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


[Federal Register: February 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 36)]
[Notices]
[Page 8375-8377]
[DOCID:fr24fe10-109]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0080]

Device Improvements to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure From
Medical Imaging; Public Meeting; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public
meeting entitled: ``Device Improvements to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation
Exposure From Medical Imaging.'' The purpose of this meeting is to
discuss steps that could be taken by manufacturers of devices used in
computed tomography (CT) and in fluoroscopy that would help reduce
unnecessary patient exposure to ionizing radiation during CT and
fluoroscopic procedures. FDA is seeking input on this topic and
requests comments on a number of related questions.
    Dates and Time: The public meeting will be held on March 30 and 31,
2010, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Persons interested in attending and/or
participating in the meeting must register by 5 p.m. on March 15, 2010.
Submit written or electronic comments by April 15, 2010.
    Location: The public meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn
Gaithersburg, 2 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20879. The
meeting will not be videotaped or webcast.
    Contact Person: Simon Choi, Food and Drug Administration, Center
for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration,
10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, rm. 5400, Silver Spring, MD 20993-
0002,<PHONE_NUMBER>, e-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    Registration: If you wish to attend the public meeting, you must
register by e-mailing<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Provide
complete contact information for each attendee, including name, title,
company or organization, address, e-mail, and telephone number.
Registration requests must be received by March 15, 2010.
    If you wish to make an oral presentation during any of the sessions
at the meeting (see section II of this document, Public Meeting), you
must indicate this at the time of registration. FDA has included
specific questions for comment in section III of this document,
Questions for Comment. You should also identify the session(s) during
which you would like to present, as well as the question(s) you would
like to address in each session. In order to keep each session focused
on the topic at hand, presentations given during each session should
address only the topic specified for that session. FDA will do its best
to accommodate requests to speak. Individuals and organizations with
common interests are urged to consolidate or coordinate their
presentations, and to request time for a joint presentation. FDA will
determine the amount of time allotted to each presenter and the
approximate time that each oral presentation is scheduled to begin.
    If you would like to participate in any of the four planned
roundtable discussions (see section II of this document, Public
Meeting), you must indicate this interest at the time of registration,
and also submit a brief statement that describes your experience with
CT or fluoroscopic devices. FDA is seeking participants interested in
engaging in one of four wrap-up roundtable discussions related to the
presentations given during each of the earlier sessions of the meeting.
Each roundtable discussion will include no more than 10 nonFDA
participants. Only one participant from an organization or company will
be assigned to each discussion group. FDA will attempt to have a range
of constituencies represented in each discussion group. Others in
attendance at the public meeting will have an opportunity to listen to
each roundtable discussion.
    Registration is free and will be on a first-come, first-served
basis. Early registration is recommended because seating is limited.
FDA may limit the number of participants from each organization based
on space limitations. Registrants will receive confirmation once they
have been accepted. Onsite registration on the day of the public
meeting will be provided on a space-available basis beginning at 7 a.m.
    If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please
contact Simon Choi at<PHONE_NUMBER><EMAIL_ADDRESS>at least 7
days in advance of the meeting.
    Comments: FDA is holding this public meeting to obtain information
on a number of questions regarding steps manufacturers of CT and
fluoroscopic devices could take to help reduce unnecessary patient
exposure to ionizing radiation from these medical imaging modalities.
The deadline for submitting comments related to this public meeting is
April 15, 2010.
    Regardless of attendance at the public meeting, interested persons
may submit written or electronic comments. Submit written comments to
the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit a
single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed
comments, except that individuals may submit one paper copy. Comments
are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the
heading of this document. In addition, when

responding to specific questions as outlined in section III of this
document, please identify the question you are addressing. Received
comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Like all medical procedures, medical imaging that uses ionizing
radiation presents both benefits and risks. Medical imaging has led to
improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous medical
conditions. At the same time, exposure to ionizing radiation may
elevate patients' lifetime risk of developing cancer. Overexposure to
ionizing radiation can also cause injuries in the short-term such as
skin burns and hair loss. In an effort to reduce these risks, FDA's
Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) recently announced
the Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical
Imaging (see http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/
RadiationSafety/RadiationDoseReduction/UCM199904 for more information).
    FDA is currently exploring steps that manufacturers of CT and
fluoroscopic devices could take to reduce unnecessary radiation
exposure through improved product design, enhanced labeling, or
improved instructions and training for equipment use and quality
assurance at medical imaging facilities.

II. Public Meeting

    The objective of this public meeting is to receive public input on
steps manufacturers of CT and fluoroscopic devices should take to help
reduce unnecessary patient exposure to ionizing radiation from these
medical imaging modalities.
    The meeting will be held over the course of 2 days. Each day will
be divided into two sessions. Day 1 will focus on equipment features
that manufacturers should incorporate into CT scanners (morning
session) and fluoroscopes (afternoon session). Day 2 will focus on
steps manufacturers should take to improve training of individuals who
use these devices (morning session) and steps to improve quality
assurance at medical imaging facilities with respect to these two
modalities (afternoon session).
    During each session, members of the public may present oral
comments related to the topic of that session. Specific questions for
comment are listed in section III of this document, Questions for
Comment. Individuals who are interested in giving an oral presentation
during any of the sessions must indicate this interest at the time of
registration and must also identify the session(s) at which they would
like to present (see Registration). In order to keep each session
focused on the topic at hand, each oral presentation should address
only the topic specified for that session. Commentators are free to
submit written comments on any topic(s) to the open docket (see
Comments). FDA will schedule speakers for each session as time permits.
    To close each of the four sessions, FDA will hold a roundtable
discussion between FDA staff and selected participants representing a
range of constituencies (for more information about participating in
the roundtable discussion, see Registration). The participants in each
roundtable discussion will remark on the presentations given during the
session, engage in a dialogue with each other and FDA staff, and
provide closing thoughts on the session. Roundtable participants will
not be asked to develop consensus opinions during the discussion, but
rather to provide their individual perspectives. Others in attendance
at the meeting will have an opportunity to listen to each roundtable
discussion.
    In advance of the meeting, additional information, including a
meeting agenda with a speakers' schedule for each session, will be made
available on the Internet. This information will be placed on file in
the public docket (docket number found in brackets in the heading of
this document), which is available at http://www.regulations.gov. This
information will also be available at http://www.fda.gov/
MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/default.htm (select the
appropriate meeting from the list).

III. Questions for Comment

A. Device-Specific Elements: Equipment Features, Labeling, and
Premarket Submission Requirements

    Note: The questions in the following paragraphs are relevant to
both CT and fluoroscopic devices. Please clearly indicate in your
response which modality you are discussing. Additionally, while the
questions are worded broadly, please feel free to include elements in
your response that are specific to particular types of procedures
(e.g., multi-phase contrast-enhanced CT examinations, perfusion
studies, etc.) or devices (e.g., multidetector CT devices that allow
very thin slices, etc.).
    1. What hardware and software features should manufacturers build
into CT and fluoroscopic devices in order to reduce unnecessary
exposure to ionizing radiation during each imaging exam, and in order
to reduce what may be inappropriate prescription of imaging exams?
Should manufacturers incorporate special provisions for pediatric and
female patients?
    2. Should manufacturers incorporate access controls and audit
capabilities into CT and fluoroscopic equipment in order to identify
the user(s) of the device during any particular exam, and to identify
those responsible for creating and changing imaging protocols and
exposure settings? If so, why, and what access controls and audit
capabilities should be incorporated? If not, why not?
    3. Should manufacturers incorporate warnings, alerts, lockouts, or
overrides into CT and fluoroscopic equipment that would inform users
and require confirmation or possibly procedure modification during an
imaging session in which the patient could be exposed to high levels of
radiation? If so, why, and what warnings, alerts, lockouts, or
overrides should be incorporated? If not, why not?
    4. Should manufacturers set default imaging protocols for CT and
fluoroscopic procedures so that they incorporate the ALARA concept
(maintaining dose As Low As Reasonably Achievable) and utilize or
provide for incorporation of diagnostic reference levels into CT and
fluoroscopic devices? If so, why and how? If not, why not?
    5. Should manufacturers incorporate exam referral criteria into CT
and fluoroscopy equipment to allow users to check the appropriateness
of an imaging exam before it is initiated or flag an exam after it is
done? If so, why and how? If not, why not?
    6. Should manufacturers incorporate into CT and fluoroscopic
equipment features to ensure that exposure settings, imaging protocols,
and metrics of body dose and peak skin dose are displayed to the
operator(s) of the equipment and recorded for physician review? If so,
why and how? If not, why not?
    7. Should manufacturers incorporate features into CT and
fluoroscopic equipment to facilitate transmission of technique
parameters, imaging protocols, and dose metrics to a patient's imaging
record, an electronic health record, or other database? If so, why and
how? If not, why not?
    8. Should manufacturers take steps to improve the labeling of CT
and fluoroscopic devices, such as including more information about
radiation exposure, including more information

about the clinical applications of the device that have been shown to
be safe and effective, improving instructions for use for each distinct
clinical application, and including a comprehensive quality control
manual? If so, why and how? If not, why not?
    9. Should manufacturers submit more data to FDA as part of their
premarket submissions for approval or clearance of CT and fluoroscopic
devices, related to the safety and effectiveness of these devices
(e.g., data demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the device
specific to each distinct clinical indication, or clinical data
demonstrating the benefit of relatively high-dose procedures, for
example, those with peak skin doses exceeding 1 Gy)? If so, why, and
what data should be submitted? If not, why not?
    10. Should manufacturers submit technical data to FDA as part of
their premarket submissions for approval or clearance of CT and
fluoroscopic devices, demonstrating dose reduction and image quality
claims? If so, why, and what data should be submitted? If not, why not?
    11. In addition to the already-required indications for use
statement, should manufacturers of CT and fluoroscopic devices submit
to FDA as part of their premarket submissions a list of common clinical
applications for which the device could be used (such as those
requiring special software supported by the device) and the appropriate
demographics of the likely patient populations for those exams? If so,
why, and what level of information should be submitted? If not, why
not?
    12. What changes should manufacturers make to CT and fluoroscopic
devices currently on the market in order to reduce unnecessary patient
exposure to ionizing radiation?

B. User Training

    1. Should manufacturers provide training to medical imaging
equipment users to ensure adequate understanding of equipment
capabilities, operating principles for the technology, general
information about optimizing patient dose and image quality, and
specific dose-reduction equipment features? If so, why, and what
training should be provided? If not, why not?
    2. If manufacturers provide such training, which personnel should
receive it to ensure proper use of medical imaging equipment and dose
reduction features? In your response, please consider radiologic
technologists or technologists in other specialties as well as
physicians in all medical specialties who operate fluoroscopic
equipment.
    3. If manufacturers provide such training, how, when, and how often
should it be delivered so that it is easily and effectively implemented
at imaging facilities? For example, for software upgrades that affect
dose, should training be performed at each site as well as training at
the time of equipment installation?

C. Quality Assurance Measures

    1. Should manufacturers provide quality assurance (QA) instructions
and standard operating procedures to medical imaging facilities and
users of CT and fluoroscopic devices? If so, why, and what instructions
should be provided? If not, why not?
    2. Should manufacturers provide training on quality assurance
practices? If so, why, what type of training should be provided, and to
which personnel? If not, why not?

D. Evaluation

    1. What tools and metrics should FDA, in collaboration with others
in the Federal Government and the healthcare professional community,
use to evaluate the impact of efforts to reduce unnecessary radiation
exposure from medical imaging?

IV. Transcripts

    Transcripts of the public meeting may be requested in writing from
the Freedom of Information Office (HFI-35), Food and Drug
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 6-30, Rockville, MD 20857,
approximately 15 working days after the public meeting at a cost of 10
cents per page. A transcript of the public meeting will be available on
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: February 18, 2010.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
[FR Doc. 2010-3674 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 12, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28135-28136]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10139]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. 2020-0488]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments;
Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Survey of
Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems Operators

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA
invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection.
This survey is necessary to prepare and plan for the integration of
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system
(NAS), as required by Section 376 under the FAA Reauthorizations Act of
2018.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by July 14, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments:
     By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket
number into search field).

     By mail: William Ekins, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Suite
938, Washington, DC 20024.
     By fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Ekins by email at:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Comments Invited: You are asked to
comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a)
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA's
performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA
to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information
collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without
reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will
summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's
clearance of this information collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2120-
    Title: Survey of Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems Operators.
    Form Numbers: Online Collection.
    Type of Review: New Information Collection.
    Background: The FAA Reauthorizations Act of 2018 explicitly charges
the FAA with developing a plan to implement an unmanned aircraft
systems traffic management (UTM) services. The development of this
congressionally mandated plan requires an estimation of current
activity by UAS operators and projecting this behavior into the future
as economic, technology, and regulatory condition change. Given the
lack of available data on the flight behavior of UAS operators, the FAA
proposes a survey of UAS operators who have registered with the FAA
under Section 349 or Part 107.
    Survey consists of a voluntary questionnaire administered online.
Registrants within the FAA's UAS registrations under Part 107 and
Section 349 are invited to complete the questionnaire via email. The
email contains a personalized link to the questionnaire hosted by
Survey Monkey. The questionnaire contains:
     6 questions on general flight behavior,
     4 questions about the number and types of UAS operated,
     5 questions for respondents who identity as commercial
operators, and
     7 questions for respondents who identify as operating for
public safety agencies.
    Including a social-media preference and self-identifying questions,
the questionnaire contains a total 24 question. However, the majority
of respondents will only answer the first 12 questions.
    The data obtained from the survey will be used for developing
national forecasts of UAS activity. Summary data from the proposed
survey will be included in the Aviation Forecast published annually by
the FAA.
    Respondents: Recreational and commercial operators of unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) who have registered with the FAA under Section
349 and Part 107, respectively.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 5.3 minutes on average.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,881 hours.

    Issued in Washington, DC on 5-8-2020.
Michael Lukacs,
Deputy Division Manager, Office of Aviation Policy and Plans, APO-100,
Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2020-10139 Filed 5-11-20; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 158-159]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29021]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-90804; File Nos. SR-CboeBYX-2020-032, SR-CboeBZX-2020-
083, SRCboeEDGA-2020-029, SR-CboeEDGX-2020-055]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc.; Cboe BZX
Exchange, Inc.; Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc.;
Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Changes To Revise Each
Exchange's Process for Re-Opening Trading of NYSE-Listed Securities
Outside of Regular Trading Hours

December 28, 2020.

I. Introduction

    On November 5, 2020, Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc. (``CboeBYX''), Cboe
BZX Exchange, Inc. (``CboeBZX''), Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc.
(``CboeEDGA'') and Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (``CboeEDGX,'' and
collectively, the ``Exchanges'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4
thereunder,\2\ proposed rule changes to revise each Exchange's process
for re-opening trading of a security listed on the New York Stock
Exchange LLC (``NYSE'') outside of regular trading hours. The proposed
rule changes were published for comment in the Federal Register on
November 19, 2020.\3\ The Commission received no comments on the
proposed rule changes. This order approves the proposed rule changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 90421 (Nov. 13,
2020), 85 FR 73826 (Nov. 19, 2020) (SR-CboeBYX-2020-032); 90420
(Nov. 13, 2020), 85 FR 73832 (Nov. 19, 2020) (SR-CboeBZX-2020-083);
90419 (Nov. 13, 2020), 85 FR 73829 (Nov. 19, 2020) (SR-CboeEDGA-
2020-029); 90422 (Nov. 13, 2020), 85 FR 73816 (Nov. 19, 2020) (SR-
CboeEDGX-2020-055). The proposed rule changes are nearly identical.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Changes

    Outside of regular trading hours, the Exchanges' operate extra-
hours sessions from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (``ET''),\4\
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET,\5\ and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.\6\
The Exchanges have proposed to change the manner by which they re-open
trading of an NYSE-listed security on their respective markets if NYSE
lifts the halt, suspension, or pause in that security during an extra-
hours session.\7\ Under the Exchanges' current rules and procedures,
the only way to re-open trading in an extra-hours session of an NYSE-
listed security that has been halted, suspended, or paused by NYSE is
for Exchange staff to manually re-open the market for that security.\8\
The Exchanges have represented that, under their current procedures,
Exchange staff would have the authority to re-open their markets for
trading an NYSE-listed security during an extra-hours session if two
conditions are met: (1) NYSE lifts the halt, suspension, or pause in
that security; and (2) one or more other exchanges resumes quoting the
security.\9\ Furthermore, under current procedures, Exchange staff
would ascertain whether these two conditions had been met and, if so,
re-open the market manually. The Exchanges believe that this manual
process is inefficient, and state that members have requested that the
Exchanges replace this process with a more efficient automated process.
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    \4\ See CboeBYX Rule 1.5(ee); CboeBZX Rule 1.5(ee); CboeEDGA
Rule 1.5(ii); CboeEDGX Rule 1.5(ii).
    \5\ See CboeBYX Rule 1.5(r); CboeBZX Rule 1.5(r); CboeEDGA Rule
1.5(s); CboeEDGX Rule 1.5(s).
    \6\ See CboeBYX Rule 1.5(c); CboeBZX Rule 1.5(c); CboeEDGA Rule
1.5(r); CboeEDGX Rule 1.5(r).
    \7\ If NYSE lifts the halt, suspension, or pause in one of its
listed securities during regular trading hours, existing rules of
the Exchanges--which the Exchanges are not proposing to change--
would apply. See CboeBYX Rule 11.23(e)(1); CboeBZX Rule 11.24(e)(1);
CboeEDGA Rule 11.7(e)(1); CboeEDGX Rule 11.7(e)(1).
    \8\ See CboeBYX Rule 11.23(e)(2); CboeBZX Rule 11.24(e)(2);
CboeEDGA Rule 11.7(e)(2); CboeEDGX Rule 11.7(e)(2).
    \9\ See Email from Adrian Griffiths, Assistant General Counsel,
Cboe Global Markets, to Michael Gaw, Kathleen Gross, and Marlene
Olsen, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission (Dec. 14, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchanges have proposed to reconfigure their systems such that,
when NYSE has halted, suspended, or paused trading in one of its listed
securities and subsequently lifts the halt, suspension, or pause during
an extra-hours session, the Exchanges would re-open their respective
markets in that security automatically when those two conditions are
present, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention. The
Exchanges are not proposing any changes to the conditions for re-
opening their markets, only the mechanism for doing so. The new
automated procedures would automatically resume trading after one
second has passed following the Exchanges' receipt of the first NBBO
following the resumption of trading after the halt, suspension, or
pause. This change would allow each Exchange to avoid the need for its
staff to monitor for resumption messages, and would allow members'
orders to be automatically reflected in the market, while continuing to
ensure that the Exchanges' re-opening is tied to the existence of a
market in the security on one or more national securities exchanges.
    If there is no available NBBO in the security, the proposed
automated procedures would not resume trading on the Exchanges.
However, each Exchange would retain the ability to manually resume
trading at its discretion pursuant to an existing rule.\10\ Each
Exchange also has proposed to amend the existing rule to specifically
provide that that discretion exists only when a security has not
otherwise been re-opened for trading on the Exchange pursuant to the
new automated procedures. The Exchanges believe that modifying the
rules in this manner would increase transparency by specifically
identifying the times when this discretion is not relevant due to the
fact that the Exchange has successfully re-opened the security using
its automated procedures. The Exchanges have represented that these
additional changes would not substantively modify the scope of the
discretion provided under the existing rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See CboeBYX Rule 11.23(e)(2); CboeBZX Rule 11.24(e)(2);
CboeEDGA Rule 11.7(e)(2); CboeEDGX Rule 11.7(e)(2) (providing that,
where neither of the conditions required for re-opening has
occurred, the security may be opened for trading at the discretion
of the Exchange).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion and Commission Findings

    After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
changes are consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities
exchange.\11\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule changes are consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ which
requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities
exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ In approving these proposed rule changes, the Commission
has considered the proposed rules' impact on efficiency,
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, the Exchanges have proposed to reconfigure their
systems such that, when NYSE has halted, suspended, or paused trading
in one of its listed securities and subsequently

lifts the halt, suspension, or pause during an extra-hours session, the
Exchanges would re-open their markets in that security automatically
when the two aforementioned conditions are met, thereby eliminating the
need for manual intervention. The Exchanges have narrowly tailored this
new automated process to be invoked only when both conditions are met.
The Exchanges have stated that, currently, Exchange personnel would
confirm that the security is no longer halted and identify that there
are quotes in the security available on other exchanges, and that the
Exchanges believe that an automated process would be more consistent
and reliable. By setting forth a clear, rules-based approach to re-
opening trading in a narrow set of circumstances, the proposals are
reasonably designed to increase the consistency and efficiency of the
re-opening process in these circumstances. Therefore, the Commission
finds that the proposals are consistent with the Act. As noted above,
the Commission received no comments opposing the proposed rule changes.

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\13\ that the proposed rule changes (SR-CboeBYX-2020-032, SR-
CboeBZX-2020-083, SR-CboeEDGA-2020-029, and SR-CboeEDGX-2020-055) be,
and hereby are, approved.
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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    \14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-29021 Filed 12-31-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P