[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 42 (Friday, March 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13018-13019]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04601]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special
Permits

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.

ACTION: List of applications for special permits.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the procedures governing the application
for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of
Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given
that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the
application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a
particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the
``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1--
Motor vehicle, 2--Rail freight, 3--Cargo vessel, 4--Cargo aircraft
only, 5--Passenger-carrying aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 5, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Record Center, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Washington, DC 20590.
    Comments should refer to the application number and be submitted in
triplicate. If confirmation of receipt of comments is desired, include
a self-addressed stamped postcard showing the special permit number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Burger, Chief, Office of
Hazardous Materials Safety, General Approvals and Permits Branch,
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department
of Transportation, East Building, PHH-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
Southeast, Washington, DC 20590-0001,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the applications are available for
inspection in the Records Center, East Building, PHH-30, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington DC.
    This notice of receipt of applications for special permit is
published in accordance with part 107 of the Federal hazardous
materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5117(b); 49 CFR 1.53(b)).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2021.
Donald P. Burger,
Chief, General Approvals and Permits Branch.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Nature of the special permits
       Application No.                Applicant           Regulation(s) affected              thereof
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Special Permits Data
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21192-N.....................  Vacco Industries.........  ........................  To authorize the
                                                                                transportation in commerce
                                                                                of non-DOT specification
                                                                                receptacles containing
                                                                                certain refrigerant gases
                                                                                housed within a satellite.
                                                                                (modes 1, 4)
21193-N.....................  KULR Technology            172.200, 172.300,         To authorize manufacture,
                               Corporation.               172.700(a), 172.400.      mark, sale, and use of UN
                                                                                specification packagings for
                                                                                the transportation in
                                                                                commerce of batteries
                                                                                including damaged,
                                                                                defective, or recalled
                                                                                lithium ion cells and
                                                                                batteries and lithium metal
                                                                                cells and batteries and
                                                                                those contained in or packed
                                                                                with equipment. (modes 1, 2)
21194-N.....................  Spaceflight, Inc.........  173.185(e)(3)...........  To authorize the
                                                                                transportation in commerce
                                                                                of prototype and low
                                                                                production lithium batteries
                                                                                contained in equipment in
                                                                                alternative packaging by
                                                                                ground transportation. (mode
                                                                                1)
21195-N.....................  Panasonic Energy           173.185(c)..............  To authorize the
                               Corporation of America.                              transportation in commerce
                                                                                of lithium metal batteries
                                                                                in alternative packaging by
                                                                                motor vehicle. (mode 1)
21198-N.....................  Porsche Cars North         172.101(j)..............  To authorize the
                               America, Inc.                                        transportation in commerce
                                                                                of lithium ion batteries
                                                                                exceeding 35 kg by cargo-
                                                                                only aircraft. (mode 4)
21199-N.....................  Solvay Fluorides, LLC....  173.227(c)..............  To authorize the
                                                                                transportation in commerce
                                                                                of TIH liquid in drums that
                                                                                are packaged and packed in
                                                                                accordance with the IMDG
                                                                                Code P602. (mode 1, 2, 3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2021-04601 Filed 3-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P


[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78288-78290]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31456]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-63494; File No. SR-ISE-2010-112]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Relating to Fees and Rebates for Adding and Removing Liquidity

December 9, 2010.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on November 26, 2010, the International Securities Exchange, LLC
(the ``Exchange'' or the ``ISE'') filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission the proposed rule change, as described in Items I
and II, and below, which items have been prepared by the self-
regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit

comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The ISE is proposing to amend its transaction fees and rebates for
adding and removing liquidity. The text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange's Web site (http://www.ise.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 self-regulatory organization
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 self-regulatory organization
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 currently assesses a per contract transaction charge
to market participants that add or remove liquidity from the Exchange
(``maker/taker fees'') in 100 options classes (the ``Select
Symbols'').\3\ The Exchange currently charges a take fee of: (i) $0.25
per contract for Market Maker, Market Maker Plus,\4\ Firm Proprietary
and Customer (Professional) \5\ orders; (ii) $0.35 per contract for
Non-ISE Market Maker \6\ orders; (iii) $0.20 per contract for Priority
Customer \7\ orders for 100 or more contracts. Priority Customer orders
for less than 100 contracts are not assessed a fee for removing
liquidity. The Exchange also currently charges a take fee to $0.40 per
contract for Market Maker, Market Maker Plus, Firm Proprietary,
Customer (Professional) and Non-ISE Market Maker interest that responds
to special orders.\8\
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    \3\ Options classes subject to maker/taker fees are identified
by their ticker symbol on the Exchange's Schedule of Fees. See
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61869 (April 7, 2010), 75 FR
19449 (April 14, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-25), 62048 (May 6, 2010), 75 FR
26830 (May 12, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-43), 62282 (June 11, 2010), 75 FR
34499 (June 17, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-54), 62319 (June 17, 2010), 75 FR
36134 (June 24, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-57), 62508 (July 15, 2010), 75 FR
42809 (July 22, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-65), 62507 (July 15, 2010), 75 FR
42802 (July 22, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-68), 62665 (August 9, 2010), 75
FR 50015 (August 16, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-82) and 62805 (August 31,
2010), 75 FR 54682 (September 8, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-90).
    \4\ A Market Maker Plus is a market maker who is on the National
Best Bid or National Best Offer 80% of the time for series trading
between $0.03 and $5.00 (for options whose underlying stock's
previous trading day's last sale price was less than or equal to
$100) and between $0.10 and $5.00 (for options whose underlying
stock's previous trading day's last sale price was greater than
$100) in premium in each of the front two expiration months and 80%
of the time for series trading between $0.03 and $5.00 (for options
whose underlying stock's previous trading day's last sale price was
less than or equal to $100) and between $0.10 and $5.00 (for options
whose underlying stock's previous trading day's last sale price was
greater than $100) in premium across all expiration months in order
to receive the rebate. The Exchange determines whether a market
maker qualifies as a Market Maker Plus at the end of each month by
looking back at each market maker's quoting statistics during that
month. If at the end of the month, a market maker meets the
Exchange's stated criteria, the Exchange rebates $0.10 per contract
for transactions executed by that market maker during that month.
The Exchange provides market makers a report on a daily basis with
quoting statistics so that market makers can determine whether or
not they are meeting the Exchange's stated criteria.
    \5\ A Customer (Professional) is a person who is not a broker/
dealer and is not a Priority Customer.
    \6\ A Non-ISE Market Maker, or Far Away Market Maker
(``FARMM''), is a market maker as defined in Section 3(a)(38) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (``Exchange Act''),
registered in the same options class on another options exchange.
    \7\ A Priority Customer is defined in ISE Rule 100(a)(37A) as a
person or entity that is not a broker/dealer in securities, and does
not place more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average
during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63283 (November 9,
2010), 75 FR 70059 (November 16, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-106).
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    Additionally, the Exchange currently charges a make fee of: (i)
$0.10 per contract for Market Maker, Non-ISE Market Maker, Firm
Proprietary and Customer (Professional) orders. Priority Customer
orders, regardless of size, and Market Maker Plus orders are not
assessed a fee for adding liquidity.
    In order to promote and encourage liquidity in the Select Symbols,
the Exchange currently offers a rebate of: (i) $0.10 per contract for
Market Maker Plus orders; (ii) $0.15 per contract to contracts that do
not trade with the contra order in the Exchange's Facilitation
Mechanism and Solicited Order Mechanism; (iii) $0.20 per contract for
Priority Customer Complex orders, regardless of size, that trade with
non-customer orders in the Exchange's Complex Order Book; and (iv)
$0.25 per contract to contracts that do not trade with the contra order
in the Exchange's Price Improvement Mechanism.
    The Exchange now proposes to amend its maker/taker fees by making
the following changes to the Select Symbols: (i) Remove AAPL, BIDU and
GS and (ii) add Sirius XM radio, Inc. (``SIRI''), Starbucks Corporation
(``SBUX'') and Vivus, Inc. (``VVUS'').
    The Exchange has designated this proposal to be operative on
December 1, 2010.
2. Basis
    The basis under the Exchange Act for this proposed rule change is
the requirement under Section 6(b)(4) \9\ that an exchange have an
equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among
its members and other persons using its facilities. The impact of the
proposal upon the net fees paid by a particular market participant will
depend on a number of variables, most important of which will be its
propensity to add or remove liquidity in options overlying the Select
Symbols. The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in which
market participants can readily direct order flow to another exchange
if they deem fee levels at a particular exchange to be excessive. The
Exchange believes that the proposed fees it charges for options
overlying the Select Symbols remain competitive with fees charged by
other exchanges and therefore continue to be reasonable and equitably
allocated to those members that opt to direct orders to the Exchange
rather than to a competing exchange. Additionally, the Exchange
believes that the addition and removal of option classes that are
subject to the Exchange's maker/taker fees are both equitable and
reasonable because those fees apply to all categories of participants
in the same manner. The Exchange's maker/taker fees, which are
currently applicable to each market participant, will continue to apply
to the Select Symbols.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition
that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of
the Act.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received
any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested
parties.

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.\10\ At any time within 60 days of the
filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission
that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest,
for the protection of investors, or 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.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 E-mail to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please include
File No. SR-ISE-2010-112 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2010-112. This file
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of the ISE. 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-ISE-2010-112 and should be
submitted by January 5, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
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    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. 2010-31456 Filed 12-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1062-1065]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00052]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-73979; File No. SR-OCC-2014-809]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation;
Notice of No Objection to Advance Notice Concerning the Implementation
of a Committed Master Repurchase Agreement Program as Part of OCC's
Overall Liquidity Plan

January 2, 2015.
    On November 6, 2014, The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'')
advance notice SR-OCC-2014-809 (``Advance Notice'') pursuant to Section
806(e)(1) of the Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act of
2010 (``Clearing Supervision Act'' or ``Title VIII'') \1\ and Rule 19b-
4(n)(1)(i) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange
Act'').\2\ The Advance Notice was published for comment in the Federal
Register on December 9, 2014.\3\ The Commission did not receive any
comments on the Advance Notice publication. This publication serves as
a notice of no objection to the Advance Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1). The Financial Stability Oversight
Council designated OCC a systemically important financial market
utility on July 18, 2012. See Financial Stability Oversight Council
2012 Annual Report, Appendix A, http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/fsoc/Documents/2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf. Therefore, OCC is
required to comply with the Clearing Supervision Act and file
advance notices with the Commission. See 12 U.S.C. 5465(e).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(n)(1)(i).
    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73726 (December 3,
2014), 79 FR 73116 (December 9, 2014) (SR-OCC-2014-809).
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I. Description of the Advance Notice

a. Background

    The purpose of the proposed change is to allow OCC to implement a
committed master repurchase agreement program (``MRA Program'') in
order to access an additional committed source of liquidity to meet its
settlement obligations in a manner that does not increase the
concentration of OCC's counterparty exposure, given OCC's existing
affiliations between a number of commercial banking institutions and
OCC's clearing members. According to OCC, the MRA Program will take the
form of OCC entering into a committed master repurchase agreement and
related confirmations (together, the ``Master Repurchase Agreement'')
with one or more non-bank, non-clearing

member institutional investors.\4\ The program will be part of OCC's
overall liquidity plan that is meant to provide OCC with access to
diverse sources of liquidity, which includes committed credit
facilities, securities lending and securities repurchase arrangements,
and clearing member funding requirements that, under certain
conditions, allow OCC to obtain funds from clearing members.\5\
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    \4\ OCC states that it will conduct a due diligence review with
respect to each counterparty before entering into a master
repurchase arrangement with it. Because the appropriate due
diligence activities and financial criteria will vary for each type
of counterparty, OCC will determine on a case-by-case basis the
specific due diligence criteria it would implement. However, as the
principal purpose of due diligence will be to obtain assurance that
each counterparty has the financial ability to satisfy its
obligations under the program, the review will encompass an
assessment of the counterparty's financial statements (including
external auditor reports thereon) and, as applicable, ratings and/or
investment reports. Furthermore, OCC will identify key criteria
relative to monitoring the financial stability of the counterparty
on a going forward basis.
    \5\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72752 (August
4, 2014), 79 FR 46490 (August 8, 2014) (SR-OCC-2014-17), Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 71549 (February 12, 2014), 79 FR 03574
(February 19, 2014) (SR-OCC-2014-801) and Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 73257 (September 30, 2014), 79 FR 23698 (October 3,
2014) (SR-OCC-2014-806).
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    Although the Master Repurchase Agreement would be based on the
standard form of master repurchase agreement \6\ so that it will be
more familiar to potential institutional investors, OCC would require
the Master Repurchase Agreement to contain certain additional
provisions tailored to ensure a reduction in concentration risk,
certainty of funding, and operational effectiveness.
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    \6\ The standard form master repurchase agreement is published
by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and is
commonly used in the repurchase market by institutional investors.
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b. The Proposed MRA Program

i. Standard Repurchase Agreement Terms
    According to OCC, the Master Repurchase Agreement generally will be
structured like a typical repurchase arrangement, in order to help OCC
attract interest from potential institutional investors willing to be
counterparties to OCC. Under the Master Repurchase Agreement, the buyer
(i.e., the institutional investor) on occasion would purchase from OCC
United States government securities (``Eligible Securities'').\7\ OCC,
as the seller, will transfer Eligible Securities to the buyer in
exchange for a payment by the buyer to OCC in immediately available
funds (``Purchase Price''). The buyer will simultaneously agree to
transfer the purchased securities back to OCC at a specified later date
or on OCC's demand (``Repurchase Date'') against the transfer of funds
by OCC to the buyer in an amount equal to the outstanding Purchase
Price plus the accrued and unpaid price differential (together, the
``Repurchase Price''), which is the interest component of the
Repurchase Price.
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    \7\ OCC would use U.S. government securities that are included
in clearing fund contributions by clearing members and margin
deposits of any clearing member that has been suspended by OCC for
the repurchase arrangements. Article VIII, Section 5(e) of OCC's By-
Laws and OCC Rule 1104(b) authorize OCC to obtain funds from third
parties through securities repurchases using these sources. The
officers who may exercise this authority include the Executive
Chairman and the President.
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    At all times while a transaction is outstanding, OCC will be
required to maintain a specified amount of securities or cash margin
with the buyer.\8\ The market value of the securities supporting each
transaction will be determined daily, typically based on a price
obtained from a generally recognized pricing source. If the market
value of the purchased securities is determined to have fallen below
OCC's required margin, OCC will be required to transfer to the buyer
sufficient cash or additional securities reasonably acceptable to the
buyer so that OCC's margin requirement is satisfied.\9\ If the market
value of the purchased securities is determined to have risen to above
OCC's required margin, OCC will be permitted to require the return of
excess purchased securities from the buyer.
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    \8\ OCC expects that it would be required to maintain margin
equal to 102% of the Repurchase Price which, according to OCC, is a
standard rate for arrangements involving U.S. government securities.
    \9\ OCC expects that it would use clearing fund securities and
securities posted as margin by defaulting clearing members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As in a typical master repurchase agreement, an event of default
will occur with respect to the buyer if the buyer fails to purchase
securities on a purchase date, fails to transfer purchased securities
on any applicable Repurchase Date, or fails to transfer any interest,
dividends or distributions on purchased securities to OCC within a
specified period after receiving notice of such failure. An event of
default will occur with respect to OCC if OCC fails to transfer
purchased securities on a purchase date or fails to repurchase
purchased securities on an applicable Repurchase Date. The Master
Repurchase Agreement also will provide for standard events of default
for either party, including a party's failure to maintain required
margin or an insolvency event with respect to one of the parties.
    Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the non-defaulting
party, at its option, will have the right, among others, to accelerate
the Repurchase Date of all outstanding transactions between the
defaulting party and the non-defaulting party. For example, if OCC were
the defaulting party with respect to a transaction and the buyer chose
to terminate the transaction, OCC will be required to immediately
transfer the Repurchase Price to the buyer. If the buyer were the
defaulting party with respect to a transaction and OCC chose to
terminate the transaction, the buyer will be required to deliver all
purchased securities to OCC. If OCC or the buyer does not perform in a
timely manner, the non-defaulting party will be permitted to buy or
sell, or deem itself to have bought or sold, securities as needed to be
made whole and the defaulting party will be required to pay the costs
related to any covering transactions. Additionally, if OCC is required
to obtain replacement securities as a result of an event of default,
the buyer will be required to pay the excess of the price paid by OCC
to obtain replacement securities over the Repurchase Price.
ii. Customized Features
    As part of the Master Repurchase Agreement, OCC will enter into an
individualized master confirmation with each buyer and its agent which
will set forth certain terms and conditions applicable to all
transactions entered into under the Master Repurchase Agreement by that
buyer. According to OCC, these required terms and conditions will be
designed to promote OCC's goals of reduced concentration risk,
certainty of funding and operational effectiveness. The terms of the
master confirmations under each Master Repurchase Agreement may vary
from one another, because a separate master confirmation will be
negotiated for a given buyer at the time that buyer becomes a party to
the Master Repurchase Agreement. OCC has identified the following as
key standards that will need to be incorporated into each repurchase
arrangement entered into under the program.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ OCC expects that the Master Repurchase Agreement also will
include other, more routine, provisions such as the method for
giving notices and basic due authorization representations by the
parties.

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

Counterparties
    OCC only will enter into repurchase arrangements with non-bank
institutional investors, such as pension funds or insurance companies
that are not OCC clearing members or banks affiliated with any OCC
clearing member. OCC believes this requirement will allow OCC to access
stable, reliable sources of funding, without increasing the
concentration of its exposure to counterparties that are affiliated
banks, broker/dealers and futures commission merchants. OCC believes
that this reduction in concentration risk is a key advantage of this
proposed program.
Commitment to Fund and Funding Accounts
    OCC will seek funding commitments from one or more potential
counterparties that will equal $1 billion in the aggregate,\11\ with
each commitment extending for 364 days or more. Each counterparty will
be obligated to enter into transactions under the Master Repurchase
Agreement up to its committed amount so long as no default had occurred
and OCC transferred sufficient Eligible Securities. Each counterparty
will be obligated to enter into transactions even if OCC had
experienced a material adverse change, such as the failure of a
clearing member. According to OCC, this commitment to provide funding
will be a key departure from ordinary repurchase arrangements and a key
requirement for OCC. Each commitment will be supported by an agreement
by the counterparty to maintain cash and investments acceptable to OCC
that must be readily converted into cash in a designated account into
which OCC has visibility. OCC believes that the creation of a funding
account is important because it will help OCC ensure that the committed
funds will be available each day. OCC also believes that it will
facilitate prompt funding by counterparties that are not commercial
banks and therefore are not in the business of daily funding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The $1 billion in commitments could be spread across
multiple counterparties, but $1 billion represents the proposed
aggregate size of the program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funding Mechanics
    According to OCC, funding mechanics will be targeted so that OCC
will receive the Purchase Price in immediately available funds within
60 minutes of its request for funds and delivery of Eligible Securities
and, if needed, prior to OCC's regular daily settlement time.\12\ OCC
believes that these targeted funding mechanics will allow OCC to
receive needed liquidity in time to satisfy settlement obligations,
even in the event of a default by a clearing member or a market
disruption. The funding mechanism may be, for example, delivery versus
payment/receive versus payment or another method acceptable to OCC that
both satisfies the objectives of the MRA Program and presents limited
operational risks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ According to OCC, this would include OCC's regular daily
settlement time and any extended settlement time implemented by OCC
in an emergency situation under OCC Rule 505.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

No Rehypothecation
    Under the terms of each master confirmation, the buyer would not be
permitted to grant any third party an interest in purchased securities,
the custody account at the custodian where purchased securities are
held, or any cash held in OCC's account. As a result, OCC states that
the buyer would be prohibited from rehypothecating purchased
securities, the purchased securities should never leave the account,
and there should be no third-party claims against the purchased
securities. OCC believes that the prohibition on rehypothecation also
would reduce the risk that a third party could interfere with the
buyer's transfer of the purchased securities on the Repurchase Date.
Further, according to OCC, the custodian would agree to provide OCC
with daily information about each buyer's account. OCC believes that
this visibility would allow OCC to act quickly in the event a buyer
violates any requirements.
Early Termination Rights
    Under the Master Repurchase Agreement, OCC would have the ability
to terminate any transaction upon written notice to the buyer, but a
buyer only would be able to terminate a transaction upon the occurrence
of an event of default with respect to OCC.\13\ OCC has stated that
this optional early termination right is important because its
liquidity needs may change unexpectedly over time and as a result OCC
may not want to keep a transaction outstanding as long as originally
planned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ According to OCC, a notice of termination by OCC would
specify a new Repurchase Date prior to the originally agreed upon
Repurchase Date. Upon the early termination of a transaction, the
buyer would be required to return all purchased securities to OCC,
and OCC would be required to pay the Repurchase Price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Substitution
    Under the Master Repurchase Agreement, OCC would have the ability
to substitute any Eligible Securities for purchased securities in its
discretion by a specified time, so long as the Eligible Securities
satisfy any applicable criteria contained in the Master Repurchase
Agreement and the transfer of the Eligible Securities would not create
a margin deficit, as described above.\14\ OCC believes that this
substitution right is important because it must be able to manage
clearing member requests to return excess or substitute Eligible
Securities in accordance with established operational procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ In addition to its substitution rights, OCC could cause the
return of purchased securities by exercising its optional early
termination rights under the Master Repurchase Agreement. If OCC
were to terminate part or all of a transaction, the buyer would be
required to return purchased securities to OCC against payment of
the corresponding Repurchase Price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Events of Default
    In addition to the standard events of default for a failure to
purchase or transfer securities on the applicable Purchase Date or
Repurchase Date, OCC would require that the Master Repurchase Agreement
not contain any additional events of default that would restrict OCC's
access to funding and that it contain an additional default remedy. OCC
would require that it would not be an event of default if OCC suffers a
``material adverse change.'' \15\ According to OCC, this provision
provides it with certainty of funding, even in difficult market
conditions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ According to OCC, a ``material adverse change'' is
typically defined as a change that would have a materially adverse
effect on the business or financial condition of a company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Upon the occurrence of an event of default, in addition to the non-
defaulting party's right to accelerate the Repurchase Date of all
outstanding transactions or to buy or sell securities as needed to be
made whole, the non-defaulting party may elect to take the actions
specified in the ``mini close-out'' provision of the Master Repurchase
Agreement, rather than declaring an event of default.\16\ Therefore, if
the buyer fails to deliver purchased securities on any Repurchase Date,
OCC believes that it would have remedies that allow it to mitigate risk
with respect to a particular transaction, without declaring an event of
default with

respect to all transactions under the Master Repurchase Agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ For example, if the buyer fails to transfer purchased
securities on the applicable Repurchase Date, rather than declaring
an event of default, OCC may (1) if OCC has already paid the
Repurchase Price, require the buyer to repay the Repurchase Price,
(2) if there is a margin excess, require the buyer to pay cash or
delivered purchased securities in an amount equal to the margin
excess, or (3) declare that the applicable transaction, and only
that transaction, will be immediately terminated, and apply default
remedies under the Master Repurchase Agreement to only that
transaction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Discussion and Commission Findings

    Although Title VIII does not specify a standard of review for an
advance notice, the Commission believes that the stated purpose of
Title VIII is instructive.\17\ The stated purpose of Title VIII is to
mitigate systemic risk in the financial system and promote financial
stability by, among other things, promoting uniform risk management
standards for systemically-important financial market utilities
(``FMUs'') and strengthening the liquidity of systemically important
FMUs.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See 12 U.S.C. 5461(b).
    \18\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 805(a)(2) of the Clearing Supervision Act \19\ authorizes
the Commission to prescribe risk management standards for the payment,
clearing, and settlement activities of designated clearing entities and
financial institutions engaged in designated activities for which it is
the supervisory agency or the appropriate financial regulator. Section
805(b) of the Clearing Supervision Act \20\ states that the objectives
and principles for the risk management standards prescribed under
Section 805(a) shall be to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(a)(2).
    \20\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Promote robust risk management;
     promote safety and soundness;
     reduce systemic risks; and
     support the stability of the broader financial system.
    The Commission has adopted risk management standards under Section
805(a)(2) of the Clearing Supervision Act (``Clearing Agency
Standards'').\21\ The Clearing Agency Standards became effective on
January 2, 2013, and require registered clearing agencies that perform
central counterparty (``CCP'') services to establish, implement,
maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are
reasonably designed to meet certain minimum requirements for their
operations and risk management practices on an ongoing basis.\22\ As
such, it is appropriate for the Commission to review advance notices
against these Clearing Agency Standards, and the objectives and
principles of these risk management standards as described in Section
805(b) of the Clearing Supervision Act.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22.
    \22\ The Clearing Agency Standards are substantially similar to
the risk management standards established by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System governing the operations of designated
FMUs that are not clearing entities and financial institutions
engaged in designated activities for which the Commission or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission is the Supervisory Agency. See
Financial Market Utilities, 77 FR 45907 (August 2, 2012).
    \23\ 12 U.S.C. 5464(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that the proposal in this Advance Notice is
designed to further the objectives and principles of Section 805(b) of
the Clearing Supervision Act.\24\ As a systemically-important FMU, it
is imperative that OCC have adequate resources to be able to satisfy
its counterparty settlement obligations. The MRA Program provides OCC
with a committed liquidity resource that does not increase the
concentration of OCC's counterparty exposure because the counterparties
will not include OCC's clearing members nor affiliated commercial
banking institutions. Accordingly, the Commission believes that the
proposal should promote robust risk management, promote safety and
soundness in the marketplace, reduce systemic risks, and support the
stability of the broader financial system by giving OCC access to
additional committed liquidity that will help OCC meet its settlement
obligations in a timely manner, while also limiting the exposure that
OCC has to its counterparties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ 12 U.S.C 5464(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-22(b)(3),\25\ adopted as part of the
Clearing Agency Standards, requires that a non-security-based swap
registered clearing agency that performs CCP services establish,
implement, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures
reasonably designed to withstand, at a minimum, a default by the
participant family to which it has the largest exposure in extreme but
plausible market conditions. As a part of OCC's overall liquidity plan,
the Commission believes that the MRA Program will contribute additional
liquid financial resources that should enhance OCC's ability to meet
any potential settlement demands arising out of a default of a clearing
member or clearing member family, including one to which it has the
largest exposure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(b)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Conclusion

    It is therefore noticed, pursuant to Section 806(e)(1)(I) of the
Clearing Supervision Act,\26\ that the Commission does not object to
advance notice proposal (SR-OCC-2014-809) and that OCC is authorized to
implement the proposal as of the date of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1)(I).

    By the Commission.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-00052 Filed 1-7-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48791-48793]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20029]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R07-OAR-2015-0394; FRL-9932-27-Region 7]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Iowa;
Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2008 Lead National Ambient Air
Quality Standards, Section 110(a)(2)(E)(ii), and a Supplemental SIP for
Relevant Iowa Laws and Regulations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from
the State of Iowa for the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) for Lead (Pb) addressing the applicable requirements of the
Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110, which requires that each state adopt
and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement
of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by the EPA. These SIPs are
commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure
requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of
each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the
State's responsibilities under the CAA.
    EPA is also proposing to approve a supplemental revision for the
SIP to include article 1, section 2 of the Iowa Constitution, and
portions of the Iowa Code and the Iowa Administrative Code to codify
the relevant state laws as applied to conflict of interest provisions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R07-
OAR-2015-0394, by one of the following methods:
    1. http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
    2. Email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    3. Mail: Heather Hamilton, Air Planning and Development Branch,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, Air and Waste
Management Division, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
    4. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to Heather
Hamilton, Air Planning and Development Branch, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 7, Air and Waste Management Division, 11201
Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R07-OAR-
2015-0394. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit through http://www.regulations.gov or email information that you consider to be CBI or
otherwise protected. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an
``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of
your comment. If you send an email comment directly

to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov, your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and should be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the
http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
at http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas
66219 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays. The interested persons wanting to examine these
documents should make an appointment with the office at least 24 hours
in advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Hamilton, Air Planning and
Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7,
11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219; telephone number: (913) 551-
7039; email address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we refer to EPA. A detailed technical
support document (TSD) is included in this rulemaking docket to address
the following: A description of Clean Air Act section 110(a)(1) and (2)
infrastructure SIPs; the applicable elements under sections 110(a)(1)
and (2); EPA's approach to the review of infrastructure SIP
submissions, and EPA's evaluation of how the Iowa addressed the
relevant elements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2). This section provides
additional information by addressing the following questions:

I. What is being addressed in this document?
II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP revision been met?
III. What action is EPA taking?

I. What is being addressed in this document?

    EPA is proposing to approve the two submissions from the State of
Iowa: The infrastructure SIP submission (received November 4, 2011)
from Iowa which addresses the requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1)
and (2) as applicable to the 2008 Pb NAAQS, and the submission from
Iowa (Received May 11, 2015, that codifies article 1, section 2, of the
Iowa Constitution, as well as the relevant sections of the Iowa Code
and the Iowa Administrative Code as they apply to conflict of interest
provisions addressed in this action are referenced in the ``EPA
Approved Nonregulatory SIP Provisions'' table accompanying this notice.
    A Technical Support Document is included as part of the docket to
discuss the details of this proposal, including analysis of how the SIP
meets the applicable 110 requirements for infrastructure SIPs including
specifically section 128 and 110(a)(2)(E).

II. Have the requirements for approval of a SIP revision been met?

    The state submission has met the public notice requirements for SIP
submissions in accordance with 40 CFR 51.102. The submission also
satisfied the completeness criteria of 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. In
addition, as explained above and in more detail in the technical
support document which is part of this document, the revision meets the
substantive SIP requirements of the CAA, including section 110 and
implementing regulations.

III. What action is EPA taking?

    EPA is proposing to approve the November 4, 2011, infrastructure
SIP submission from Iowa which addresses the requirements of CAA
sections 110(a)(1) and (2) as applicable to the 2008 Pb NAAQS. In
addition, EPA is proposing to approve the May 11 2015 submission from
Iowa that codifies article 1, section 2, of the Iowa Constitution, as
well as the relevant sections of the Iowa Code and the Iowa
Administrative Code as they apply to conflict of interest provisions.
Details of these submissions are addressed in a Technical Support
Document as part of the docket to discuss the proposal.
    Based upon review of the state's infrastructure SIP submissions and
relevant statutory and regulatory authorities and provisions referenced
in those submissions or referenced in Iowa's SIP, EPA believes that
Iowa's SIP will meet all applicable required elements of sections
110(a)(1) and (2) with respect to the 2008 Pb NAAQS.
    We are processing this as a proposed action because we are
soliciting comments on this proposed action. Final rulemaking will
occur after consideration of any comments.

Statutory and Executive Order Review

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA and applicable
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this
action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state
law. For that reason, this proposed action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the terms
of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is
therefore not subject to review under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
(76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011).
     Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
     Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or
in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does
not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

Statutory Authority

    The statutory authority for this action is provided by section 110
of the CAA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7410).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: August 3, 2015.
Mark Hague,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 7.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA proposes to amend 40
CFR part 52 as set forth below:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart Q--Iowa

0
2. In Sec.  52.820(e) the table is amended by adding new entries (40)
and (41) in numerical order at the end of the table to read as follows:

Sec.  52.820  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                                 EPA-Approved Iowa Nonregulatory SIP Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Applicable         State
   Name of non-regulatory SIP        geographic or      submittal    EPA Approval date         Explanation
            revision               nonattainment area      date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                  * * * * * * *
(40) Sections 110(a)(1) and (2)   Statewide..........    11/4/2011  8/14/2015 [Insert    This action addresses
 Infrastructure Requirements                                         Federal Register     the following CAA
 2008 Lead NAAQS.                                                    citation].           elements:
                                                                                110(a)(2)(A), (B),
                                                                                (C), (D), (E), (F),
                                                                                (G), (H), (J), (K),
                                                                                (L), and (M).
                                                                                110(a)(2)(I) is not
                                                                                applicable.
(41) Section 128 Declaration:     Statewide..........       5/1/15  8/14/2015 [Insert
 Conflicts of Interest                                               Federal Register
 Provisions;.                                                        citation].
Constitution of the State of      ...................  ...........  ...................  This action addresses
 Iowa, Article 1, Section 2.                                                              the following sections
                                                                                of the Constitution of
                                                                                the State of Iowa,
                                                                                Article 1, section 2.
Iowa Code: 4.4.(5), 7E.4,         ...................  ...........  ...................  Iowa Code: 4.4.(5) 7E.4
 Chapter 68B.                                                                             Chapter 68B.
Iowa Administrative Code:.......  ...................  ...........  ...................  Iowa Administrative
351 IAC 6.11....................                                                          Code:
351 IAC 6.14(2).................                                                         351 IAC 6.11
351 IAC 6.19....................                                                         351 IAC 6.14(2)
351 IAC 7.1-7.2.................                                                         351 IAC 6.19
567 IAC 1.11(1-9)...............                                                         351 IAC 7.1-7.2
                                                                                567 IAC 1.11(1-9).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-20029 Filed 8-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 55361]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25190]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9970-47-OARM]

Good Neighbor Environmental Board

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Request for nominations to the Good Neighbor Environmental
Board.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites
nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be
considered for appointment to its Good Neighbor Environmental Board
(GNEB). Vacancies are expected to be filled by April 1, 2018, but
nominees are strongly encouraged to submit their nomination information
as soon as possible. Sources in addition to this Federal Register
Notice may also be utilized in the solicitation of nominees.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: GNEB is a federal advisory committee chartered under
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463. GNEB was
created in 1992 by the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act,
Public Law 102-532, 7 U.S.C. Section 5404. Implementing authority was
delegated to the Administrator of EPA under Executive Order 12916. The
GNEB is charged by statute with submitting an annual report to the
President on environmental and infrastructure issues in the U.S.-Mexico
border region. The statute creating the GNEB calls for it to include
representatives from U.S. Government agencies; the governments of the
states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas; and private
organizations with experience in environmental and infrastructure
issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Members are appointed by the EPA
Administrator for two year terms with the possibility of reappointment.
The GNEB meets approximately three times annually either in person or
via video/teleconference. The average workload for committee members is
approximately 10 to 15 hours per month. Members serve on the committees
in a voluntary capacity. Although EPA is unable to offer compensation
or an honorarium, members may receive travel and per diem allowances,
according to applicable federal travel regulations. The EPA is seeking
nominations from a variety of nongovernmental organizations in the
U.S.-Mexico border region, including representatives from business and
industry, academia, environmental groups, public health organizations,
and other sectors. EPA is also seeking representatives from state,
local, and tribal governments. EPA values and welcomes diversity. In an
effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages
nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups.
    The following criteria will be used to evaluate nominees:
     Background and experience that would help members
contribute to the diversity of perspectives on the committee (e.g.,
geographic, economic, social, cultural, educational, and other
considerations).
     Representative of a sector or group that helps to shape
border region environmental policy, or representatives of a group that
is affected by border region environmental policy.
     Extensive professional knowledge and experience with the
particular issues that the GNEB examines (i.e. environmental and
infrastructure issues along the U.S.-Mexico border), including the bi-
national dimension of these issues.
     Senior level experience dealing with environmental and
infrastructure issues in the U.S.-Mexico border region.
     Possesses a demonstrated ability to work in a consensus
building process with a wide range of representatives from diverse
constituencies.
     Ability to contribute approximately 10 to 15 hours per
month to the GNEB's activities, including face-to-face meetings,
conference calls and participation in the development of the GNEB's
annual report to the President and occasional advice letters.
     Nominees may self-nominate.
    If you are interested in serving on the GNEB, please submit the
following information:
     Nominations must include a brief statement of interest, a
resume or curriculum vitae, and a short biography describing your
professional and educational qualifications, including a list of
relevant activities and any current or previous service on advisory
committees. The statement of interest, resume, curriculum vitae, or
short biography should include the candidate's name, name and address
of current organization, position title, email address, and daytime
telephone number(s). In preparing your statement of interest, please
describe how your background, knowledge, and experience will bring
value to the work of the Board, and how these qualifications would
contribute to the overall diversity of the GNEB. Also, please describe
any previous involvement with EPA through employment, grant funding
and/or contracting sources.
     Candidates from the academic sector must also provide a
letter of recommendation authorizing the nominee to represent their
institution.
     Please be advised that federally registered lobbyists are
not permitted to serve on federal advisory committees.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations to Mark Joyce, Acting Designated Federal
Officer, (1601M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460.
You may also email nominations with the subject line GNEB Nomination
2018 to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Joyce, Acting Designated Federal
Officer, U.S. EPA, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: October 24, 2017.
Mark Joyce,
Acting Designated Federal Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-25190 Filed 11-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P