GREENING YOUR MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES   A GUIDE FOR FEDERAL PURCHASERS Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, or EPP, seeks the overall best value, taking into account price competitiveness, availability, regulatory requirements, performance standards, and environmental impact. Because purchasers typically have clear sources of information on procurement and regulatory requirements and well established methods for evaluating price and performance, the US EPA EPP Program has developed these purchasing guides to help government purchasers consider the environmental factors in the EPP equation. Please note that EPA is not endorsing any of the products, services, or organizations described in the guides, and has not verified information provided by these organizations. For more information about the EPP Programs's history, tools, and resources, please visit < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp>.

Introduction The " Green Meetings" train is quickly gaining speed and picking up passengers, so climb aboard! EPA recently updated its Green Meetings Web site to accommodate this momentum, so check it out at: < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ greenmeetings>.

Why Green Your Meetings? Bringing people together for meetings, often for multiple days at a time, can create a " host" of environmental impacts   from the smog and greenhouse gas emissions associated with air and ground travel to the paper, plastic, and food waste associated with feeding attendees.

 Did you know that in Fiscal Year 2000, the federal government spent more than $ 9 billion on travel for mission related business around the world?  Did you know that 93,000 federal employees are traveling on any given business day to 8,000 locations across the country?  Did you know that federal travelers use 24 million room nights of hotel space in the United States annually?  Did you know that an average hotel purchases more products in a week than 100 families purchase in an entire year?

Key Sources of Waste and Pollution The following activities associated with meetings and conferences are major sources of waste and pollution.

 Marketing of Event and Registration   Paper waste associated with direct mailings among organizers, speakers, attendees, and venues.

 Travel to the Event   Greenhouse gases and other pollutants released via planes, trains, buses, and automobiles.

 Hotel Stays   Water usage associated with laundering; indoor air quality issues associated with toxic building materials and cleaning products; paper, plastic, and material waste associated with single use toiletries.  Food Services   Waste from disposable coffee cups, plates, napkins, and plastic ware; disposal of extra food; non sustainable farming practices.

 Exhibition Halls   Landfill disposal of carpet; greenhouse gas emissions from shipping; waste from excess information materials and gimmicky giveaways.

 Local Transportation   Greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants released from taxis or rental cars.

Federal EPP Authority and Mandate Spending approximately $ 230 billion annually on a large quantity and wide variety of products and services, the federal government leaves a large environmental " footprint." However, by purchasing environmentally preferable products and services, the federal government can wield its spending power to increase national demand for greener products as well as to help meet environmental goals through markets rather than mandates. In 1995, in response to Executive Order 12873, EPA established the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing ( EPP) program to encourage and assist Executive agencies in the purchase of environmentally preferable products and services. In 1997, the Federal Acquisition Regulation ( FAR), which establishes uniform procedures and policies for federal acquisition, was amended to support federal procurement of " green" products and services. And, most recently, in 1998, Executive Order ( E. O.) 13101, entitled " Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition," directed Executive agencies to " consider . . . a broad range of factors including: elimination of virgin material requirements; use of biobased products; use of recovered materials; reuse of product; life cycle cost; recyclability; use of environmentally preferable products; waste prevention ( including toxicity reduction or elimination); and ultimate disposal" when making purchasing decisions and to " modify their procurement programs as appropriate."

Similarly, the Biomass R& D Act of 2000, the Farm Bill of 2002, and Executive Order 13134 have emphasized the potential importance of biobased products to national economic and environmental interests. Together these authorities encourage a strong federal role in the development and early adoption of biobased products and recognize the role of procurement as part of an overall federal policy on biobased products.

Five Guiding Principles To help government purchasers incorporate environmental considerations into purchasing decisions, EPA developed five guiding principles. The guiding principles provide a framework purchasers can use to make environmentally preferable purchases. The five principles are: 1. Include environmental considerations as part of the normal purchasing process. 2. Emphasize pollution prevention early in the purchasing process. 3. Examine multiple environmental attributes throughout a product's or service's life cycle. 4. Compare relative environmental impacts when selecting products and services. 5. Collect and base purchasing decisions on accurate and meaningful information about environmental performance.

For more information, go to the five guiding principles on EPA's EPP Web site at < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ fivegp. htm>.

What Are Green Meetings? The Oceans Blue Foundation defines green meetings as " an assembly or gathering of people, for the purpose of the exchange of information, where, through careful planning, negative impact on the environment is minimized." In the early 1990s, a green meeting may have meant brochures were printed on recycled content paper or that soda cans were collected for recycling. The costs associated with even these simple steps were often prohibitive for most meeting planners and meeting service suppliers. Today, however, the opportunities to green meetings and events are almost limitless often offering ways to save money and increase efficiency in the process.

What Can You Do? While there is an ever increasing number of green meeting " pioneers" in the United States, many meeting planners are still having difficulty finding green services for their events. This is why it is important to remember that asking for green is key! Asking is the first step in showing there is a demand for reduced environmental impacts associated with a meeting. When enough meeting planners ask for reusable mugs, non toxic cleaning services, or energy efficient lighting, for example, then hotels, conventions centers, and other meeting service providers will begin to respond. If you are not a meeting planner, but coordinate with or direct a contractor to plan meetings for you, EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics has created green meeting contract language you can use when buying meeting planning support services. The language is available from the Database of Environmental Information on the EPP Program's Web site at: http:// www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ database. htm ( search under the keyword " Conference").

Abbreviated List The following lists of green opportunities can assist you in reducing meeting related environmental impacts. The first list condenses the array of green opportunities into a handful of thought provoking questions a meeting planner may consider. The second list lays out specific steps that have proven to prevent pollution and waste associated with meetings and conferences. Since a meeting planner may be restricted by time, money, and/ or level of support for greening, choose the strategy that works best for your situation.

Location Have you sought a location... ... that, on average, minimizes the distance the attendees have to travel? ... where the facilities needed for your meeting are all accessible to each other, the airport, and local attractions by mass transportation options?

Accommodations and/ or Meeting Facilities Does the hotel and/ or meeting facility you are considering... ... have a formal environmental policy and action plan that they will share with you? ... have an assigned person, group, or committee directly responsible for environmental initiatives?

Transportation Does the transportation service provider you are considering... ... offer a carbon emission offsetting program ( known as carbon neutral travel)? [ Climate Neutral products or services significantly reduce and offset the greenhouse gases generated at any, some or all of the stages of their life cycle on a cradle to cradle basis: the sourcing of their materials, their manufacturing or production, their distribution, use, and ultimate end of life disposition. Source  Better World Travel] ... offer hybrid/ alternatively fueled/ highly efficient vehicles?

Food/ Beverage Does the food and beverage service provider you are considering... ... offer the use of reusable, rather than disposable, linens, flatware, glassware, etc.? ... donate surplus food to local shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, etc.?

Promotion/ Marketing/ Registration and Exhibitions Have you maximized opportunities to... ... use electronic communication over paper as often as possible? ... reduce, reuse, recycle, and purchase recycled content/ energy efficient/ environmentally preferable products?

Expanded List # 1 Location  Select locations that, on average, minimize the distance the attendees have to travel.  Select locations where the facilities needed for your meeting are all accessible to each other, the airport, and local attractions by mass transportation options.  Get a sense of the availability of green services in cities under consideration. Some cities or regions of the country are further along in their awareness and protection of the environment and will make it easier for you to green your meeting.

# 2 Accommodations  Select accommodations that allow for efficient transportation routes ( walking paths, bicycle paths, public transportation).  Choose a hotel that has energy and water conservation programs, including: automatic controls for the HVAC system; fluorescent lighting and automatic lighting controls; and low flow taps, showerheads, and toilets.  Make certain that there are recycling and waste minimization programs in place. Specifically, find out what items are recycled. Are recycling bins placed in all guestrooms?  Donate used amenities ( soap, bottles, etc.) to charitable organizations or recycle them.  Give hotel guests the option to reuse towels and sheets.  Utilize paperless check in, checkout, and billing procedures to minimize use of paper.

# 3 Transportation  Locate meetings and accommodations within walking distance of each other and area restaurants and attractions, so excessive car travel is minimized.  Provide shuttle services between meetings, accommodations, and restaurants to minimize car and taxi trips if walking isn't feasible. # 4 Food & Beverage  Consider cloth instead of paper napkins, and reusable plates, cups, and silverware instead of disposables.  Serve sugar, creamers, and condiments in reusable dishes rather than packets.  Consider providing drinking water in pitchers or large reusable containers instead of small plastic bottles.  Donate surplus food when possible to local shelters and food banks.

# 5 Meeting Facilities  Look for facilities that invite meeting attendees to share in energy conservation and waste reduction efforts for example, by reducing paper towels, supporting use of soap dispensers versus individual soaps, avoiding waste, and participating in recycling programs.  Look for meeting rooms with recycling bins, posted with a list of all items that can be recycled.  Put recycling containers in visible locations at entrances to halls and in the pre function area. Let attendees know that recycling containers will be available. Place visible signage instructing delegates as to what is and is not recyclable. Put additional containers in hotel lobbies near checkout areas.

# 6 Exhibitions  Use signage that is reusable whenever possible.  Reduce paper use by putting floor plans and exhibitor service kit items on your Web site when practical ( and/ or the decorator's Web site).  Work with the shipping firm and decorator to minimize packing materials and to use recyclable and other environmentally preferable shipping and packing materials.  Incorporate community service into the exhibition. Ask exhibitors to donate leftover flowers, giveaways such as trinkets, pencils, or T shirts, or other booth decorations or items that would normally be thrown away to local shelters, hospitals, or schools. Set up areas for exhibitors to drop off reusable items at the end of the show.  Discourage exhibitors from bringing large quantities of material to the show, which often end up in the trash because exhibitors don't want to ship unused conference materials back at the end of the show. Encourage exhibitors to bring small quantities and then mail materials to clients from their offices after the show or refer clients to their Web site. Also, useful environmentally responsible gifts are preferable to items that will be discarded at the end of the show.

# 7 General Office Practices and Communications  Reduce paper by allowing attendees to register online. Confirm registration by e mail when possible.  Recycle paper inserts and plastic badges.  Use double sided copies.  Print marketing and registration materials ( whenever possible) on recycled paper using soy based ink.  Promote electronic distribution instead of printed handouts to reduce paper usage.  Encourage use of electronic presentations and distributing disk handouts to eliminate paper waste.  Do not use mailing lists that have not been maintained. A mailing list more than 2 years old is usually unreliable.  Provide information about the meeting and destination to potential attendees and allow them to register via e mail.  Set up a system for making photocopies on demand instead of over printing materials.  Post minutes or other handouts on the Internet, or circulate them electronically after the meeting.

EPA's Purchasing Tool Suite EPA's EPP Program has developed the following Web based tools to help purchasers consider the environment, along with price and performance, when buying a product or service.

Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services   A searchable database of product specific information ( e. g., environmental standards and guidelines or contract language) developed by government programs, both domestic and international, as well as third parties. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ database. htm>

Promising Practices Guide for Greener Contracts   A series of short case studies highlighting successful strategies for incorporating environmental factors into a variety of product and service contracts. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ ppg>

General EPP Training Tool   Covers basic EPP principles and mandates, along with some more in depth applications of EPP, in an entertaining and multimedia format. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ gentt/>

Tips for Buying Green with the Government Credit Card   Tips to help government credit card holders make greener choices when buying products, such as electronics. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ creditcard. htm>

Resources Fairmont Hotels & Resorts EcoMeet Program http:// www. fairmont. com Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest luxury hotel company in North America and has developed an environmental program recognized as the most comprehensive in the North American hotel industry. The EcoMeet Program is a product option designed specifically for meeting planners that allows them to order a readymade green meeting when organizing through the Fairmont Hotel chain. All of the greening initiatives available at the Fairmont Hotels are automatically incorporated into the meeting events when this " EcoMeet Program" is chosen. Greening initiatives include, but are not limited to, transportation alternatives, environmentally friendly meals and meeting facilities, and incorporating environmental educational opportunities for meeting attendees.

Oceans Blue Foundation http:// www. oceansblue. org Oceans Blue Foundation ( OBF) was the first to develop guidelines for green meetings and has since developed a primer to provide guidance on applying environmentally sustainable principles in the meetings and conventions industry. These tools are designed for use by planners, suppliers, and delegates of meetings, conventions, conferences, and trade shows, as well as by the operators of the facilities that hold such events. OBF now will work with EPA and other international stakeholders to develop a Web based tool to help meeting planners plan green meetings.

Green Seal  Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties, GS 33 http:// www. greenseal. org Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products. Green Seal sets environmental standards and awards a Green Seal of Approval to products that Green Seal evaluates as causing less harm to the environment than other similar products. Green Seal has partnered with the lodging industry, the nation's second largest employer, to support ecotourism. Its campaign to educate hotels and motels focuses on how environmental efforts improve the bottom line and benefit the environment. Green Seal received wide input from the lodging industry on its Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties. Green Seal also has certified lodging properties in Pennsylvania and Washington, D. C. Government employees are encouraged to stay in certified properties when they travel on official business, and government meetings are encouraged to use these facilities.

The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies ( CERES) Green Hotel Initiative http:// www. ceres. org/ about/ Programs/ ghoverview. html The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies ( CERES) is a nonprofit coalition of investors, public pension funds, foundations, religious and public interest groups, and labor unions working in partnership with companies toward the common goal of corporate environmental responsibility worldwide. CERES convened a network of environmental organizations, governmental entities, and businesses that advocate corporate responsibility to initiate a collaborative project to promote environmentally friendly hotels. The initiative will encourage corporate and government purchasers to ask for greener hotels as part of their business travel, creating an incentive for more hotels to " go green."

Hotel Association of Canada  Green Leaf Eco Rating Program http:// www. hotels. ca/ programs/ index. html Founded in 1913, the Hotel Association of Canada ( HAC) is the national organization representing the accommodation industry in Canada. Its membership encompasses the provincial and territorial hotel associations, the corporate hotel chains, independent hotels, motels and resorts, and the many suppliers to the hotel industry. Their objective is to assist both our national and international members as they enhance their competitiveness and improve their bottom line. HAC has developed and maintained the Green Leaf Eco Rating Program for the Canadian hotel industry. The program involves a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels, and resorts committed to improving their environmental performance. The program recognizes a hotel's achievements through the award of one to five Green Leafs; one leaf is given for a basic commitment to environmental principles, and two through five leaves are awarded for specific results achieved. NW Pollution Prevention Resource Center  Hospitality Sector http:// www. pprc. org/ pprc/ pubs/ topics/ hosptlty. html Meeting Professionals International  Green Meeting Task Force http:// www. mpiweb. org/ resources/ greenmeetings/ default. htm The Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State Program http:// www. vtgreenhotels. org EPA's Green Conference Initiative http:// www. epa. gov/ oppt/ greenmeetings/ EPA developed the Green Conference Initiative to provide meeting planners and suppliers of meeting services with easy access to green options and opportunities for meeting planning. The goal of this initiative is to develop a " one stop shop" at which meeting planning and service providers can gather information on the topic of green meetings. The information is meant to help planners request and suppliers provide green options for meeting planning. The Web site includes a checklist of opportunities that, when applied, minimize the environmental impacts of holding meetings; contract language for obtaining greener meeting planning/ support services; and links to information on other related initiatives.


[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 95160]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31076]

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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-4280-DR; Docket ID FEMA-2016-0001]

Florida; Amendment No. 4 to Notice of a Major Disaster
Declaration

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration
for State of Florida (FEMA-4280-DR), dated September 28, 2016, and
related determinations.

DATES: Effective December 12, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and
Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the
Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Manny J. Toro,
of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for
this disaster.
    This action terminates the appointment of Terry L. Quarles as
Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster.

    The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers
(CFDA) are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030,
Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund; 97.032, Crisis
Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034, Disaster
Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance
Grant; 97.048, Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and
Households In Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049,
Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance--Disaster Housing
Operations for Individuals and Households; 97.050, Presidentially
Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households--Other
Needs; 97.036, Disaster Grants--Public Assistance (Presidentially
Declared Disasters); 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant.

W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2016-31076 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-23-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 80 (Friday, April 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 23016]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08780]

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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. ER20-1596-000]

Pleinmont Solar 1, LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-
Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204
Authorization

    This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of
Pleinmont Solar 1, LLC's application for market-based rate authority,
with an accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes
a request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future
issuances of securities and assumptions of liability.
    Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington,
DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's
Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Anyone
filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that
document on the Applicant.
    Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with
regard to the applicant's request for blanket authorization, under 18
CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of
liability, is May 11, 2020.
    The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at http://www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with internet
access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an
intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
    Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426. Hand delivered submissions in docketed
proceedings should be delivered to Health and Human Services, 12225
Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an
opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the
internet through the Commission's Home Page (http://ferc.gov) using the
eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits
in the docket number field to access the document. At this time, the
Commission has suspended access to the Commission's Public Reference
Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning
the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), issued by the President on
March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call toll-free, (886) 208-
3676 or TYY,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: April 20, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-08780 Filed 4-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2161-2163]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00532]

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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74029; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2014-151]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Commentary
.06 to Rule 6.8 To Extend the Pilot Program That Eliminated the
Position Limits for Options on SPDR S&P 500 ETF

January 9, 2015.
    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 December 30, 2014, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE
Arca'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and
II 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

    The Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .06 to Rule 6.8 to extend
the pilot program that eliminated the position limits for options on
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (``SPY'') (``SPY Pilot Program''). The text of the
proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at
www.nyse.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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .06 to Rule 6.8 to extend
the time period of the SPY Pilot Program,\3\ which is currently
scheduled to expire on February 5, 2015, through July 12, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68001 (October 5,
2012), 77 FR 62303 (October 12, 2012) (SR-NYSEArca-2012-112).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This filing does not propose any substantive changes to the SPY
Pilot Program. In proposing to extend the SPY Pilot Program, the
Exchange reaffirms its consideration of several factors that supported
the original proposal of the SPY Pilot Program, including (1) the
availability of economically equivalent products and their respective
position limits, (2) the liquidity of the option and the underlying
security, (3) the market capitalization of the underlying security and
the related index, (4) the reporting of large positions and
requirements surrounding margin, and (5) the potential for market on
close volatility.
    In the original proposal to establish the SPY Pilot Program, the
Exchange stated that if it were to propose an extension, permanent
approval or termination of the program, the Exchange would submit,
along with any filing proposing such amendments to the program, a
report providing an analysis of the SPY Pilot Program covering the
first twelve (12) months during which the SPY Pilot Program was in
effect (the ``Pilot Report'').\4\ Accordingly, the Exchange is
submitting the Pilot Report detailing the Exchange's experience with
the SPY Pilot Program. The Pilot Report is attached as Exhibit 3 to
this filing. The Exchange notes that it is unaware of any problems
created by the SPY Pilot Program and does not foresee any as a result
of the proposed extension. In extending the SPY Pilot Program, the
Exchange states that if it were to propose another extension, permanent
approval or termination of the program, the Exchange will submit
another Pilot Report covering the period since the previous extension,
which will be submitted at least 30 days before the end of the proposed
extension.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act \5\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \6\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange
believes that extending the SPY Pilot Program promotes just and
equitable principles of trade by permitting market participants,
including market makers, institutional investors and retail investors,
to establish greater positions when pursuing their investment goals and
needs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. The proposed rule change is not
designed to address any aspect of competition, whether between the
Exchange and its competitors, or among market participants. Instead,
the proposed rule change is designed to allow the SPY Pilot Program to
continue as other SROs have adopted similar provisions.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \7\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\8\ Because
the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along
with a brief description and the text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the
proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 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.

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-NYSEArca-2014-151 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2014-151. 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
such 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-NYSEArca-2014-151, and should be submitted on or before
February 5, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2015-00532 Filed 1-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P