[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 59 (Thursday, March 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17056-17057]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06275]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OLEM-2016-0465, FRL-10006-78-OLEM]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Information Requirements for Boilers and Industrial
Furnaces

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to
submit the information collection request (ICR), Information
Requirements for Boilers and Industrial Furnaces (EPA ICR No. 1361.18,
OMB Control No. 2050-0073) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA). Before doing so, the EPA is soliciting public comments on
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described
below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently
approved through January 31, 2021. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor
and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OLEM-2016-0465, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred
method), by email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or by mail to: EPA Docket
Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the
public docket without change including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Vyas, Office of Resource
Conservation and Recovery (mail code 5303P), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email address:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail
the information the EPA will be collecting are available in the public
docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone
number for the Docket Center is<PHONE_NUMBER>. For additional
information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, the EPA is soliciting
comments and information to enable it to: (i) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. The
EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval. At that time, the EPA will issue another Federal
Register notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: EPA regulates the burning of hazardous waste in boilers,
incinerators, and industrial furnaces (BIFs) under 40 CFR parts 63,
264, 265, 266 and 270. This ICR describes the paperwork requirements
that apply to the owners and operators of BIFs. This includes the
general facility requirements at 40 CFR parts 264 and 265, subparts B
thru H; the requirements applicable to BIF units at 40 CFR part 266;
and the RCRA Part B permit application and modification requirements at
40 CFR part 270.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory (per 40 CFR 264, 265,
and 270).

    Estimated number of respondents: 105.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Total estimated burden: 271,137 hours per year. Burden is defined
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $37,253,148 (per year), includes $17,592,543
annualized labor, $9,089,769 annualized capital/startup, and
$10,570,836 operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in Estimates: The burden hours are likely to stay
substantially the same.

    Dated: March 19, 2020.
Donna Salyer,
Acting Director, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery.
[FR Doc. 2020-06275 Filed 3-25-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 42099]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17439]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 14677-000]

Clark Canyon Hydro, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application
Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and
Competing Applications

    On April 21, 2015, Clark Canyon Hydro, LLC, filed an application
for a preliminary permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power
Act (FPA), proposing to study the feasibility of the Clark Canyon Dam
Hydroelectric Project (Clark Canyon Dam Project or project) to be
located at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Clark Canyon Dam on the
Beaverhead River, near Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana. The sole
purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit
holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A
preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any
land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters
owned by others without the owners' express permission.
    The proposed project would utilize the existing Clark Canyon Dam
and would consist of the following: (1) A new 360-foot-long, 8-foot-
diameter steel penstock within the existing concrete conduit, ending in
a trifurcation; (2) two new 35-foot-long, 8-foot-diameter penstocks
extending from the trifurcation to the powerhouse, transitioning to 6-
foot-diameter before entering the powerhouse; (3) a new 10-foot-long,
8-foot-diameter steel penstock leaving the trifurcation and ending in a
7-foot-diameter cone value and reducer to control discharge into the
existing outlet stilling basin; (4) a new 62.5-foot-long, 41-foot-wide
reinforced concrete powerhouse containing two vertical Francis-type
turbine/generator units rated for 2.35 megawatts each; (5) two new 17-
foot-long, 15-foot-diameter tailrace channels connecting the pump/
turbine draft tubes with the existing spillway stilling basin; (6) a
new 1,100-foot-long, 4.16-kilovolt (kV) buried transmission line from
the power house to the substation; (7) a new substation containing
step-up transformers and switchgear; (8) a new 7.9-mile-long, 69-kV
transmission line extending from the project substation to the Peterson
Flat substation (the point of interconnection); and (9) appurtenant
facilities. The estimated annual generation of the Clark Canyon Dam
Project would be 15.4 gigawatt-hours.
    Applicant Contact: Mr. David Boyter, NW Engineering Services, P.C.,
1680 Woodruff Park, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    FERC Contact: Kelly Wolcott; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, competing
applications (without notices of intent), or notices of intent to file
competing applications: 60 days from the issuance of this notice.
Competing applications and notices of intent must meet the requirements
of 18 CFR 4.36.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file
comments, motions to intervene, notices of intent, and competing
applications using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief
comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the
eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You
must include your name and contact information at the end of your
comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>(866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to:
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include
docket number P-14677-000.
    More information about this project, including a copy of the
application, can be viewed or printed on the ``eLibrary'' link of
Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp.
Enter the docket number (P-14677) in the docket number field to access
the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

    Dated: July 10, 2015.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-17439 Filed 7-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 100 (Friday, May 22, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31116-31117]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10680]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2020-0071; FRL-10009-07-Region 4]

Air Plan Approval; GA: Permit Requirements

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the
State of Georgia, through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
(GA EPD), on October 18, 2019. This SIP revision makes minor edits to
Georgia's rule prescribing permitting requirements. EPA has evaluated
Georgia's submittal and preliminarily determined that it meets the
applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA's
regulations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2020-0071 at www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or
removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment received to
its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of
the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general
guidance on making effective comments, please visit www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pearlene Williams, Air Regulatory
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air and
Radiation Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61
Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Williams can also
be reached via phone at<PHONE_NUMBER> or via electronic mail at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Georgia SIP to make
clarifying and ministerial changes to its permitting regulations at
Rule 391-3-1-.03(8), Permit Requirements. Georgia's October 18,
2019,\1\ submittal changes the status of five counties under paragraph
(e), which specifies counties that are contributing to the ambient air
levels of the current nonattainment area, and makes other minor
typographical edits to other subparagraphs for consistent formatting.
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    \1\ EPA notes the Agency received the submittal on October 24,
2019.
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    Georgia requires compliance with Nonattainment New Source Review
(NNSR) requirements under paragraph (c) in nonattainment areas. The
State has one current nonattainment area, which is in nonattainment for
the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS.\2\ At subparagraph (c)14., ``Additional
Provisions for Ozone Non-Attainment Areas,'' the State also requires
NNSR for certain counties surrounding the current nonattainment area.
Specifically, these counties comprise the current maintenance area for
the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS,\3\ which was redesignated to attainment
effective June 2, 2017. See 82 FR 25523.
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    \2\ The current nonattainment area for the 2015 8-hour ozone
NAAQS consists of the following Counties: Bartow, Clayton, Cobb,
DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Henry.
    \3\ This area is defined at (c)14. as the following Counties:
Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,
Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, and Rockdale.
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    In addition, paragraph (e) explains that the Director shall
designate any counties that are contributing to the ambient air level
of the nonattainment area. Under subparagraph (c)15., those
contributing counties are required to carry out certain elements of
NNSR for any new or modified electric generating units (EGU).
Specifically, those counties must: Define ``major source'' and ``major
stationary source'' to include certain sources that emit or have the
potential to emit at least 100 tons per year of volatile organic
compounds or oxides of nitrogen; \4\ identify the net emissions
increase threshold triggering the

permitting requirement as a result of a physical or operational change
at a major stationary source; and require an emissions offset ratio of
at least 1.1:1.\5\
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    \4\ These pollutants are precursors to the formation of ozone.
    \5\ This paragraph also requires these areas to implement best
available control technology, consistent with prevention of
significant deterioration requirements, rather than the lowest
achievable emission rate. Because NNSR is not required for these
areas per federal rules, this requirement is appropriate for these
projects.
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    In a January 16, 2020, action (85 FR 2646), EPA approved revisions
to Georgia's NNSR rules at Rule 391-3-1-.03(8). As relevant here, GA
EPD removed five counties from the list of counties subject to NNSR
requirements under subparagraph (c)14. and added these counties to the
list of contributing counties subject to some NNSR requirements at
Subparagraph (c)15.\6\ Georgia's October 18, 2019, SIP revision is
intended to align paragraph (e) with the existing requirements in
subparagraph (c)(15) by adding those five counties to the list at
paragraph (e).
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    \6\ The five counties are Barrow, Carroll, Hall, Spalding, and
Walton.
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II. EPA's Analysis of the State's Submittal

    Georgia's October 18, 2019, submittal changes Rule 391-3-1-.03(e)1.
to list Barrow, Carroll, Hall, Spalding, and Walton Counties among
those determined by the Director to contribute to the ambient air level
of ozone in a revised list of metropolitan Atlanta counties. As
discussed above, EPA previously approved the removal of these counties
from the list of counties subject to NNSR requirements at subparagraph
(c)14. and, in the same action, approved adding these counties to the
list of contributing counties at subparagraph (c)15. EPA does not
believe that the corresponding change to subparagraph (e)1. requested
in the current submittal will substantively impact implementation of
Georgia's NNSR program. To the contrary, this change merely makes the
list of counties at subparagraph (e)1. consistent with other SIP-
approved requirements. In addition, EPA notes that Georgia's October
18, 2019, submittal makes other minor changes to Rule 391-3-1-.03(8),
which EPA believes will not substantively impact the State's permitting
program. Therefore, EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision
because EPA has preliminarily concluded it is consistent with the CAA
and EPA's federal regulations.

III. Incorporation by Reference

    In this document, EPA is proposing to include in a final EPA rule
regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance
with requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is proposing to incorporate by
reference the Georgia Rule 391-3-1-.03(8), titled ``Permit
Requirements'' State effective September 26, 2019, which incorporates
minor revisions to the State's permitting requirements. EPA has made
and will continue to make the State Implementation Plan generally
available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 4 Office
(please contact the person identified in the For Further Information
Contact section of this preamble for more information).

IV. Proposed Action

    EPA is proposing to approve the Georgia SIP revision to Rule 391-3-
1-.03(8) titled ``Permit Requirements,'' submitted on October 18, 2019,
to update the status of five counties that are designated as attainment
for the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS, but which the Director has determined
to impact ambient ozone concentrations in the metropolitan Atlanta
area, and therefore must comply with certain additional permitting
requirements under subparagraph (8)(c)15. In addition, the October 18,
2019, submittal makes typographical edits to Rule 391-3-1.03(8). EPA
has preliminarily concluded that the SIP revision is consistent with
the CAA and EPA's regulations.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable
Federal regulations. See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, if
they meet the criteria of the CAA. This action merely proposes to
approve 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 subject to review
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2,
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under
Executive Order 12866;
     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 as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen
dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

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

    Dated: May 12, 2020.
Mary Walker,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2020-10680 Filed 5-21-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46010-46012]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18910]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2015-N-2372]

Promoting Semantic Interoperability of Laboratory Data; Public
Workshop; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop; request for comments.

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    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Library of Medicine
(NLM) of the National Institutes of Health are announcing the following
public workshop entitled ``FDA/CDC/NLM Workshop on Promoting Semantic
Interoperability of Laboratory Data.'' The purpose of this workshop is
to receive and discuss input from stakeholders regarding proposed
approaches to promoting the semantic interoperability of laboratory
data between in vitro diagnostic devices and database systems,
including laboratory information systems and electronic health records.
    Date and Time: The public workshop will be held on September 28,
2015, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at FDA White Oak Campus,
10903 New Hampshire Ave., Building 31 Conference Center, the Great Room
(Rm. 1503), Silver Spring, MD 20993. Entrance for the public meeting
participants (non-FDA employees) is through Building 1 where routine
security check procedures will be performed. For parking and security
information, please refer to http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/BuildingsandFacilities/WhiteOakCampusInformation/ucm241740.htm.
    Contact Person: Steven Gitterman, Food and Drug Administration,
Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Bldg. 66, Rm. 5518, 10903
New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002,<PHONE_NUMBER>, FAX:
301-847-2512, email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    Registration: Registration is free and available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Persons interested in attending this public
workshop must register online by 4 p.m. September 18, 2015. Early
registration is recommended because facilities are limited and,
therefore, FDA may limit the number of participants from each
organization. If time and space permits, onsite registration on the day
of the public workshop will be provided beginning at 7 a.m. (EDT).
    If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please
contact Susan Monahan, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food
and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 32, Rm. 5231,
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002,<PHONE_NUMBER>, email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>no later than 4 p.m. on September 14, 2015.
    To register for the public workshop, please visit FDA's Medical
Devices News & Events--Workshops & Conferences calendar at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/default.htm.
(Select this public workshop from the posted events list.) Please
provide complete contact information for each attendee, including name,
title and affiliation, address, email, and telephone number. Those
without Internet access should contact Susan Monahan to register.
Registrants will receive confirmation after they have been accepted.
You will be notified if you are on a waiting list.
    Streaming Webcast of the Public Workshop: This public workshop will
also be Webcast. Persons interested in viewing the Webcast must
register

online by September 18, 2015, 4 p.m. Early registration is recommended
because Webcast connections are limited. Organizations are requested to
register all participants, but to view using one connection per
location. Webcast participants will be sent technical system
requirements after registration and will be sent connection access
information after September 23, 2015. If you have never attended a
Connect Pro event before, test your connection at https://collaboration.fda.gov/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm. To get a
quick overview of the Connect Pro program, visit http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview. (FDA has verified the Web site addresses in
this document, but FDA is not responsible for any subsequent changes to
the Web sites after this document publishes in the Federal Register.)
    Requests for Oral Presentations: This public workshop includes a
public comment session. During online registration you may indicate if
you wish to present during a public comment session, and which topics
you wish to address. FDA has included general topics in this document
which will be addressed in greater detail in a subsequent discussion
paper (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). FDA will do its best to
accommodate requests to make public comments. Individuals and
organizations with common interests are urged to consolidate or
coordinate their presentations, and request time for a joint
presentation, or submit requests for designated representatives to
participate in the focused sessions. All requests to make oral
presentations must be received by September 2, 2015. FDA will determine
the amount of time allotted to each presenter and the approximate time
each oral presentation is to begin, and will select and notify
participants by September 7, 2015. If selected for presentation, any
presentation materials must be emailed to Michael Waters at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>no later than September 18, 2015, 5 p.m. No
commercial or promotional material will be permitted to be presented or
distributed at the public workshop.
    Comments: FDA, CDC, and NLM are holding this public workshop to
receive input from stakeholders and discuss proposed approaches to
promoting the semantic interoperability of laboratory data between in
vitro diagnostic devices and database systems, including electronic
health records. In order to permit the widest possible opportunity to
obtain public comment, FDA is soliciting either electronic or written
comments on all aspects of the public workshop topics. The deadline for
submitting comments related to this public workshop is 4 p.m. on
October 26, 2015.
    Regardless of attendance at the public workshop, interested persons
may submit either electronic comments regarding this document to http://www.regulations.gov or written comments to the Division of Dockets
Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane,
Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. It is only necessary to send one set of
comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in
the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the
Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, and will be posted to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Transcripts: Please be advised that as soon as a transcript is
available, it will be accessible at http://www.regulations.gov. It may
be viewed at the Division of Dockets Management (see Comments). A
transcript will also be available in either hardcopy or on CD-ROM,
after submission of a Freedom of Information request. Written requests
are to be sent to the Division of Freedom of Information (ELEM-1029),
Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Element Bldg.,
Rockville, MD 20857. A link to the transcripts will also be available
approximately 45 days after the public workshop on the Internet at
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/default.htm. (Select this public workshop from the posted events list).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    There is broad acknowledgement that interoperability between
information providers and information consumers is essential for
progress in health care. Semantic interoperability is the building
block for permitting meaningful use of medical information across
disparate systems; it is essential for supporting patient care, medical
research, epidemiology, and numerous other patient health public health
goals.
    Laboratory tests are a critical aspect of patient care that may
influence between 70 to 80 percent of clinical decisions and represent
an important target for achieving interoperability. Much of laboratory
information is directly generated by medical devices and as such should
be readily amenable to standardization that would enable semantic
interoperability; however, significant challenges exist both in the
adoption of standards by device manufacturers and implementation by
clinical and public health laboratories. FDA, CDC, and NLM are in
unique positions to encourage and promote the adoption of standards for
laboratory data that can enable semantic interoperability through the
public health mandate of the Department of Human and Health Services
(HHS), the role of FDA in device regulation, the leadership role of CDC
in laboratory science and support, and the pivotal role of NLM in the
development, enhancement, and adoption of clinical vocabulary
standards.
    The primary purpose of this workshop is to discuss and receive
input from stakeholders regarding standards for the reporting of
laboratory data and means to facilitate adoption by industry and
laboratories. Specific models for semantic interoperability of
laboratory data will be discussed, including the use of Logical
Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) for identifying
laboratory tests, uniform Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-
Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) coding sets for describing results of
qualitative test results and Unified Code for Units of Measure (UCUM)
reporting of quantitative results. The use of other standards within
interoperable laboratory result messages such as Unique Device
Identifier (UDI) codes will also be addressed, as well as mechanisms
for distributing device coding information such as Structured Product
Labeling (SPL) or Electronically Exchanging Directory of Services
(eDOS). Specifically, NLM, CDC, and FDA seek input from laboratorians,
industry, government, academia, health care practitioners, and other
stakeholders on these topics. This discussion is viewed as essential in
expediting the adoption of standards to facilitate semantic
interoperability of laboratory results.

II. Topics for Discussion at the Public Workshop

    This public workshop will consist of brief presentations providing
information to frame the goals of the workshop, and an interactive
discussion via several panel sessions. The presentations will focus on
proposed interoperability standards and mechanisms to promote adoption
and implementation. Following the presentations there will be a
moderated discussion where the participants and additional panelists
will be asked to provide their individual perspectives.
    In advance of the meeting, FDA, CDC, and NLM will place a summary
of the issues they believe need to be addressed for promoting semantic
interoperability

on file in the public docket (docket number found in brackets in the
heading of this document) and will post it at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/default.htm. The
deadline for submitting comments to this document for presentation at
the public workshop is September 18, 2015, although comments related to
this document can be made until September 28, 2015.
    The Agencies will use the input from this workshop and public
comments to determine appropriate next steps to advance sematic
interoperability of laboratory data.

    Dated: July 28, 2015.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-18910 Filed 7-31-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48556-48557]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22536]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81860; File No. SR-Phlx-2017-78]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Decrease the
Qualification Criteria of a Credit Tier and Make Related Changes

October 12, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on October 2, 2017, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'')
the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below,
which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

    The Exchange proposes to decrease the level of Consolidated Volume
required to qualify for a $0.0031 per share executed credit and make
related changes.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site at http://nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet.com/ com/, at the principal
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the Exchange's
transaction fees at Section VIII (NASDAQ PSX Fees) of the NASDAQ PHLX
LLC Pricing Schedule to decrease the level of Consolidated Volume
required to qualify for a $0.0031 per share executed credit and make
related changes. Currently, the Exchange provides credits ranging from
$0.0023 to $0.0031 per share executed to member organizations for
displayed quotes and orders that provide liquidity through the PSX
System. The top two credit tiers are the following: (1) A credit of
$0.0031 per share executed for Quotes/Orders entered by a member
organization that provides and accesses 0.3% or more of Consolidated
Volume during the month; and (2) a credit of $0.0029 per share executed
for Quotes/Orders entered by a member organization that provides and
accesses 0.25% or more of Consolidated Volume during the month. The
Exchange is proposing to decrease the level of monthly Consolidated
Volume required of a member organization to qualify for the $0.0031 per
share executed credit from 0.3% to 0.25%, which is the level required
to currently qualify for the $0.0029 per share executed credit tier. As
a consequence, the Exchange is also proposing to eliminate the $0.0029
per share executed credit tier.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act,\3\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections
6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\4\ in particular, in that it provides
for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges
among members and issuers and other persons using any facility, and is
not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers,
issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the $0.0031 per share executed credit
provided to a member organization for displayed quotes and orders is
reasonable because it will remain unchanged, and it is competitive with
the fees of other exchanges. For example, The Nasdaq Stock Market
provides its members with credits up to $0.00305 per share executed for
displayed quotes and orders.\5\ Elimination of the $0.0029 per share
executed credit provided to a member organization for displayed quotes
and orders is reasonable because the criteria currently required to
receive the $0.0029 per share executed credit will be the same as the
criteria required to receive the $0.0031 per share executed credit.
Thus, member organizations that currently qualify for $0.0029 per share
executed credit will qualify for the higher credit under the proposed
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Nasdaq Rule 7018(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that decreasing the level of Consolidated
Volume during the month required to qualify for the $0.0031 per share
executed credit is an equitable allocation and is not unfairly
discriminatory because the Exchange is using the reduced Consolidated
Volume requirement to provide incentive to member organizations to
participate on the Exchange. The Exchange has observed that the current
qualification criteria for the $0.0031 per share executed credit and
the qualification requirement of the $0.0029 per share executed credit
have not provided adequate incentive. The Exchange believes that
creating a single credit tier that combines the higher credit with the
lower Consolidated Volume requirement will be more effective at
increasing participation on the Exchange. The proposed change will
apply to all member organizations, any of which may provide the level
of Consolidated Volume required to qualify for the credit.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In terms of inter-market
competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor
competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be
excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more
favorable. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust
its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and with
alternative trading systems that

have been exempted from compliance with the statutory standards
applicable to exchanges. Because competitors are free to modify their
own fees in response, and because market participants may readily
adjust their order routing practices, the Exchange believes that the
degree to which fee changes in this market may impose any burden on
competition is extremely limited.
    In this instance, the proposed changes to the credits available to
member organizations for displayed quotes and orders do not impose a
burden on competition because the Exchange's execution services are
completely voluntary and subject to extensive competition both from
other exchanges and from off-exchange venues. The Exchange has
determined that the two credit tiers have not been as successful at
attracting participation on the Exchange. Consequently, the Exchange is
decreasing the qualification criteria required to receive the $0.0031
per share executed credit to the level of the $0.0029 per share
executed credit. This will effectively increase the credit provided to
member organizations that currently qualify for the $0.0029 per share
executed credit, while possibly providing additional incentive to
member organizations that do not provide and access 0.25% or more of
Consolidated Volume during the month to do so. In sum, the Exchange is
making it easier for member organizations to receive a credit in an
effort to increase participation on the Exchange. If the changes
proposed herein are unattractive to market participants, it is likely
that the Exchange will lose market share as a result. The Exchange
notes that competing order execution venues are free to increase their
credits, or decrease qualification criteria required to receive
credits, in reaction to the proposed changes. Accordingly, the Exchange
does not believe that the proposed changes will impair the ability of
members or competing order execution venues to maintain their
competitive standing in the financial markets.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please include
File Number SR-Phlx-2017-78 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2017-78. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2017-78, and should be
submitted on or before November 8, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-22536 Filed 10-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22484-22485]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10300]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. EL19-76-000]

Notice of Petition for Partial Waiver: Wabash Valley Power
Association, Inc.

    Take notice that on May 10, 2019, pursuant to section 292.402 of
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Rules and
Regulations,\1\ Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc. (WVPA), on behalf
of itself and its four participating electric distribution cooperative
member-owners (collectively, the Participating Members),\2\ filed a
partial waiver of certain obligations imposed on WVPA and the
Participating Members under sections 292.303(a) and 292.303(b) of

the Commission's regulations \3\ implementing section 210 of the Public
Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended,\4\ all as more
fully explained in the petition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 18 CFR 292.402.
    \2\ The Participating Members joining in this application
include the following electric distribution cooperative member-
owners of WVPA who have entered into an all-requirements power
supply contract with WVPA to purchase from WVPA substantially all of
its electric requirements: Hancock Rural Telephone Corporation,
Hendricks County Rural Electric Membership Corporation, Jasper
County REMC, and Kankakee Valley REMC.
    The Commission has previously granted joint petitions filed by
WVPA on behalf of itself and eighteen of its electric distribution
cooperative members seeking waiver of WVPA's obligation under
section 292.303(b) to make retail sales to qualifying facilities
(QFs) and seeking waiver of the members' obligations under section
292.303(a) to make purchases from QFs. See Wabash Valley Power
Association, Inc., 161 FERC ] 62,142 (2018) (delegated letter
order); Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc., 166 FERC ] 62,086
(2019) (delegated letter order).
    \3\ 18 CFR 292.303(a) and (b).
    \4\ 16 U.S.C. 824a-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must
file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of
Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be
considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to
be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the
proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of
intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices,
motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date.
Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of
that document on the Petitioner.
    The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper using the ``eFiling'' link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an
original and 5 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
20426.
    This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the
``eLibrary'' link and is available for review in the Commission's
Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an ``eSubscription''
link on the website that enables subscribers to receive email
notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For
assistance with any FERC Online service, please email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call<PHONE_NUMBER> (toll free). For
TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Comments: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 31, 2019.

    Dated: May 13, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-10300 Filed 5-16-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 69 (Thursday, April 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19979-19982]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07437]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-88557; File No. SR-FICC-2020-002]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation;
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Government
Securities Division Rulebook Relating to the Legal Entity Identifier
Requirement

April 3, 2020.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on March 25, 2020, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (``FICC'') filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which
Items have been prepared by the clearing agency. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change consists of a proposal to amend the FICC
Government Securities Division (``GSD'') Rulebook (``GSD Rules'') \3\
to require: (i) Each applicant to become a Netting Member and CCIT
Member to obtain and provide a ``Legal Entity Identifier'' \4\ to FICC
as part of its membership application, (ii) each Netting Member and
CCIT Member to have a current Legal Entity Identifier on file with FICC
at all times and to indemnify FICC for any losses and Legal Actions \5\
that arise due to the failure of a Netting Member or CCIT Member to do
so, as further described below, and (iii) each Sponsoring Member to
provide FICC with a Legal Entity Identifier for each of their current
Sponsored Members and for each newly added Sponsored Member going
forward and to indemnify FICC for any losses and Legal Actions that
arise due to the failure of a Sponsoring Member to do so, as further
described below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the GSD
Rules, available at http://www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.
    \4\ A ``Legal Entity Identifier'' is a 20-character reference
code to uniquely identify legally distinct entities that engage in
financial transactions. The Legal Entity Identifier is based on the
ISO 17442 standard developed by the International Organization for
Standardization and satisfies the standards implemented by the
Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation. See https://www.gleif.org/en/about-lei/introducing-the-legal-entity-identifier-lei. FICC is proposing to add a new definition for the term ``Legal
Entity Identifier'' in the GSD Rules, as further discussed below.
    \5\ ``Legal Action'' (as defined below and in the proposed rule
change) means and includes any claim, counterclaim, demand, action,
suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation
before any federal, state or foreign court or other tribunal, or any
investigative or regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the clearing agency 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 clearing agency has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.

(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis
for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the GSD Rules
to require: (i) Each applicant to become a Netting Member and CCIT
Member to obtain and provide a Legal Entity Identifier to FICC as part
of its membership application, (ii) each Netting Member and CCIT Member
to have a current Legal Entity Identifier on file with FICC at all
times and to indemnify FICC for any losses and Legal Actions that arise
due to the failure of a Netting Member or CCIT Member to do so, as
further described below, and (iii) each Sponsoring Member to provide
FICC with a Legal Entity Identifier for each of their current Sponsored
Members and for each newly added Sponsored Member going forward and to
indemnify FICC for any losses and Legal Actions that arise due to the
failure of a Sponsoring Member to do so, as further described below.
Background
    The Office of Financial Research (``OFR'') of the U.S. Department
of the Treasury has adopted a rule (``OFR Regulation'') establishing a
data collection requirement covering centrally cleared transactions in
the U.S. repurchase agreement (``repo'') market.\6\ This collection
requires daily reporting to the OFR by ``covered reporters,'' which is
defined to include central counterparties meeting certain criteria
(i.e., clearing repurchase agreement transactions), such as FICC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 84 FR 4975 (February 20, 2019) (hereinafter the ``OFR
Release''). The OFR Regulation is codified at 12 CFR part 1610.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The OFR Regulation requires covered reporters, such as FICC, to
submit the Legal Entity Identifier of each clearing member involved in
a reportable repo transaction. A Legal Entity Identifier is a 20-
character, alpha-numeric code based on the ISO 17442 standard developed
by the International Organization for Standardization.\7\ Each Legal
Entity Identifier contains information about an entity's ownership
structure.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See supra note 4.
    \8\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the OFR Release, the OFR stated that the submission of Legal
Entity Identifiers by covered reporters would enhance the ability of
the Financial Stability Oversight Council (``Council''),\9\ Council
member

agencies \10\ and the OFR to identify potential risks to U.S. financial
stability by facilitating an understanding of repo market participants'
exposures, concentrations and network structures.\11\ The OFR stated
that it expects that covered reporters (such as FICC) will take all
feasible steps to require that their platform participants obtain Legal
Entity Identifiers so that covered reporters are in compliance with the
Legal Entity Identifier requirements of the OFR's final rule.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The Council was established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Council is charged with
identifying risks to the financial stability of the United States,
among other things. See https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-markets-financial-institutions-and-fiscal-service/fsoc.
    \10\ The Council member agencies are the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Housing Finance
Agency, National Credit Union Administration, Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, Securities and Exchange Commission,
Treasury Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. See
https://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/fsoc/about/Pages/FSOC-Member-Agencies.aspx.
    \11\ See OFR Release, supra note 6, at 4980.
    \12\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The implementation timeframe for the OFR Regulation is as follows:
     Subject to the third bullet point below, covered reporters
were required to begin reporting all required data elements associated
with specific security trades 180 days after April 22, 2019.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 12 CFR 1610.10(e)(1)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Subject to the bullet immediately below, covered reporters
were required to begin reporting all required data elements associated
with general collateral trades within 240 days after April 22,
2019.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 12 CFR 1610.10(e)(1)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If a covered reporter is able to effectuate a rulemaking
through the Securities and Exchange Commission requiring each direct
clearing member, counterparty and broker associated with a repurchase
agreement transaction to obtain a Legal Entity Identifier and provide
it to the covered reporter, the covered reporter shall begin reporting
all data elements requiring a Legal Entity Identifier by the later date
of its rulemaking, or 420 days after April 22, 2019.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 12 CFR 1610.10(e)(1)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Rule Changes
    In order to comply with the Legal Entity Identifier submission
requirement in the OFR Regulation, FICC is proposing to require: (i)
Each applicant to become a Netting Member and CCIT Member to obtain and
provide a Legal Entity Identifier to FICC as part of its membership
application, (ii) each Netting Member and CCIT Member to have a current
Legal Entity Identifier on file with FICC at all times and to indemnify
FICC for any losses and Legal Actions that arise due to the failure of
a Netting Member or CCIT Member to do so, as further described below,
and (iii) each Sponsoring Member to provide FICC with a Legal Entity
Identifier for each of their current Sponsored Members and for each
newly added Sponsored Member going forward and to indemnify FICC for
any losses and Legal Actions that arise due to the failure of a
Sponsoring Member to do so, as further described below.
    FICC proposes to add a new defined term, Legal Entity Identifier,
to GSD Rule 1. FICC proposes to use the terminology of the Global Legal
Entity Identifier Foundation for the definition.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See supra note 4. The Global Legal Entity Identifier
Foundation was established by the Financial Stability Board in June
2014 to support the implementation and use of Legal Entity
Identifiers. The Financial Stability Board is an international body
that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial
system. www.fsb.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Netting Member and CCIT Member Applicants
    FICC is proposing to amend Section 5 of GSD Rule 2A to require each
Netting Member applicant to obtain and provide a Legal Entity
Identifier to FICC as part of its membership application. The same
change would be made regarding CCIT Member applicants in Section 3 of
GSD Rule 3B. The proposed change would entail a re-lettering of
subsections (d) and (e) of Section 3 of GSD Rule 3B. FICC is proposing
to implement the changes discussed in this paragraph upon approval of
this filing from the Commission.
(ii) Netting Members and CCIT Members
    FICC is proposing to amend Section 2 of GSD Rule 3 to add language
that would require each Netting Member to have a current Legal Entity
Identifier on file with FICC at all times. The same change would be
made to Section 5 of GSD Rule 3B for CCIT Members. For existing Netting
Members and CCIT Members, FICC is proposing to add a footnote in each
case that states such members shall have 60 calendar days from the date
of the Commission's approval of this filing to submit their Legal
Entity Identifiers to FICC.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ The proposed footnote in each case would also state that
the footnote will sunset at the end of the 60-calendar day period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FICC is also proposing to add language to Section 2 of GSD Rule 3
and Section 5 of GSD Rule 3B to provide that a Netting Member/CCIT
Member shall indemnify FICC, and its employees, officers, directors,
shareholders, agents, and Members (collectively, the ``LEI Indemnified
Parties''), for any and all losses, liabilities, expenses and Legal
Actions suffered or incurred by the LEI Indemnified Parties arising
from a Netting Member's or CCIT Member's failure to have its current
Legal Entity Identifier on file with FICC. ``Legal Action'' would mean
and include any claim, counterclaim, demand, action, suit, countersuit,
arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation before any federal,
state or foreign court or other tribunal, or any investigative or
regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization. FICC is proposing
this indemnity because in fulfilling its regulatory obligations under
the OFR Regulation, FICC would be relying upon Netting Members and CCIT
Members to keep their Legal Entity Identifiers on file with FICC
current.
(iii) Sponsoring Members and Sponsored Members
    FICC is proposing to amend Section 2 of GSD Rule 3A to require that
each Sponsoring Member submit the Legal Entity Identifiers of its
Sponsored Member applicants. FICC would implement this change regarding
applicants upon the Commission's approval of this filing. The proposed
rule change would also add language to Section 2 of GSD Rule 3A to
require that each Sponsoring Member provide FICC with a Legal Entity
Identifier for each of its existing Sponsored Members such that FICC
has a current Legal Entity Identifier for each such Sponsored Member at
all times. For existing Sponsored Members, FICC is proposing to add a
footnote that states the Sponsoring Members shall have 60 calendar days
from the date of the Commission's approval of this filing to submit the
Legal Entity Identifiers of their Sponsored Members to FICC.\18\ In
order to cover new Sponsored Members, FICC is proposing to amend
Section 3 of GSD Rule 3A to add that the Sponsoring Member must provide
the Legal Entity Identifier of each entity it wishes to sponsor into
membership as a Sponsored Member. FICC is proposing to implement the
change to Section 3 of GSD Rule 3A upon the Commission's approval of
this filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ The proposed footnote would also state that the footnote
will sunset at the end of the 60-calendar day period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FICC is also proposing to amend Section 2 of GSD Rule 3A to include
an indemnity, described above, with respect to Sponsoring Members
because,

akin to the Netting Members and CCIT Members, FICC would be relying on
the Sponsoring Members to keep the Legal Entity Identifiers of their
Sponsored Members on file with FICC current.
2. Statutory Basis
    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, inter alia, that the GSD
Rules be designed to foster cooperation and coordination with persons
engaged in the clearance and settlement of securities transactions.\19\
FICC understands that the Council and its member agencies have a
significant interest in the clearance and settlement of the securities
transactions cleared by FICC. As explained in the OFR Release, these
parties wish to identify risks to U.S. financial stability; \20\
monitoring of the repo market is important for financial stability
monitoring because the repo market plays a crucial role in providing
short-term funding and performing other functions for U.S. markets.\21\
The OFR Regulation (which includes the Legal Entity Identifier
requirement) is expected to help fulfill the Council's purposes and
duties in the monitoring of the repo market.\22\ FICC believes that the
proposed rule changes (which would add the defined term ``Legal Entity
Identifier'' to the GSD Rules and would further amend the GSD Rules to
require: (i) Each applicant to become a Netting Member and CCIT Member
to obtain and provide a Legal Entity Identifier to FICC as part of its
membership application, (ii) each Netting Member and CCIT Member to
have a current Legal Entity Identifier on file with FICC at all times
and to provide the indemnity described in Item II(A)1(ii) above, and
(iii) each Sponsoring Member to provide FICC with a Legal Entity
Identifier for each of their current Sponsored Members and for each
newly added Sponsored Member going forward and to indemnify FICC as
described in Item II(A)1(iii) above) would facilitate FICC's compliance
with the OFR Regulation. Therefore, given the purposes of the OFR
Regulation described here, FICC believes that the proposed rule changes
would foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions.\23\
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \20\ See OFR Release, supra note 6, at 4975.
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ Id.
    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
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    In addition, Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act requires, inter alia,
that the GSD Rules be designed to protect the public interest.\24\ The
purpose of the OFR Regulation is to assist the Council and its member
agencies to monitor the stability of the repo market. The stability of
the repo market serves the public interest because the repo market
plays a crucial role in the U.S. markets. Because the proposed rule
changes would facilitate FICC's compliance with the OFR Regulation,
which, in turn, serves the public interest, FICC believes that the
proposed rule changes would serve to protect the public interest.\25\
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    \24\ Id.
    \25\ Id.
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(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FICC believes that the proposed changes to add the defined term
``Legal Entity Identifier'' to the GSD Rules and to further amend the
GSD Rules to require: (i) Each applicant to become a Netting Member and
CCIT Member to obtain and provide a Legal Entity Identifier to FICC as
part of its membership application, (ii) each Netting Member and CCIT
Member to have a current Legal Entity Identifier on file with FICC at
all times and to provide the indemnity described above in Item
II(A)1(ii), and (iii) each Sponsoring Member to provide FICC with a
Legal Entity Identifier for each of their current Sponsored Members and
for each newly added Sponsored Member going forward and to indemnify
FICC as described above in Item II(A)1(iii) could impose a burden on
competition because these changes would impose a cost on firms that
currently do not have Legal Entity Identifiers to obtain and maintain
them. FICC does not believe that any burden on competition imposed by
the proposed rule change would be significant because the cost to
obtain and maintain a Legal Entity Identifier is relatively small,\26\
and FICC understands that many of its members already maintain Legal
Entity Identifiers for other purposes. Regardless of whether the
potential burden on competition is deemed significant, FICC believes
the proposed rule change is both necessary and appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, FICC believes
that any burden on competition that is created by the proposed changes
would be necessary in furtherance of the purposes of the Act \27\
because the proposed rule change would permit FICC to comply with the
OFR Regulation, which ultimately would foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions by allowing the OFR to identify risks to U.S.
financial stability. FICC also believes that any burden that is created
by the proposed rule change would be appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act \28\ because the proposed changes would be limited
to information that FICC is required to provide pursuant to the OFR
Regulation.
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    \26\ For example, the cost to obtain a Legal Entity Identifier
is $100 from Business Entity Data BV, and the cost to renew (which
is required annually) is $80. See www.gmeiutility.org.
    \27\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(I).
    \28\ Id.
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(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change
Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments relating to the proposed rule changes have not
been solicited or received. FICC will notify the Commission of any
written comments received by FICC.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please include
File Number SR-FICC-2020-002 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2020-002. This file
number should be included on the

subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and
review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The
Commission will post all comments on the Commission's internet website
(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 website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official
business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of
the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the
principal office of FICC and on DTCC's website (http://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rule-filings.aspx). All comments received will be posted without
change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact
or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You
should submit only information that you wish to make available
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2020-002
and should be submitted on or before April 30, 2020.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
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    \29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-07437 Filed 4-8-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P