Rule2023-03418
Electric Program Streamlining and Improvement
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 17, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on November 30, 2022, to revise several regulations to streamline procedures for Electric Program borrowers, including its loan application requirements, approval of work plans and load forecasts, use of approved contracts and system design procedures and reporting requirements. Through this action, RUS is confirming the final rule as it was published and providing a response to the public comment received.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10237-10238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03418]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Parts 1710, 1714, 1717, 1724, and 1730
[Docket No. RUS-22-Electric-0031]
RIN 0572-AC57
Electric Program Streamlining and Improvement
AGENCY: Rural Utilities, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule; confirmation and response to comment.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development
Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal
Register on November 30, 2022, to revise several regulations to
streamline procedures for Electric Program borrowers, including its
loan application requirements, approval of work plans and load
forecasts, use of approved contracts and system design procedures and
reporting requirements. Through this action, RUS is confirming the
final rule as it was published and providing a response to the public
comment received.
DATES: The final rule published November 30, 2022, at 87 FR 73433, is
confirmed as of February 28, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Coates, Branch Chief, Policy
and Outreach Branch, Office of Customer Service and Technical
Assistance, Rural Utilities Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture;
Stop 1569, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0787;
telephone (202) 720-1900, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d082858395bcb5b3a4a2b9b390a5a3b4b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="17454244527b727463657e74576264737639707861">[email protected]</span></a>. Persons with
disabilities or who require alternative means for communication should
contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rural Development is a mission area within
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) comprising the Rural
Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Business-
Cooperative Service. Rural Development's mission is to increase
economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all rural
Americans. Rural Development meets its mission by providing loans, loan
guarantees, grants, and technical assistance through numerous programs
aimed at creating and improving housing, business, and infrastructure
throughout rural America.
The RUS Electric Program loans, loan guarantees and grants finance
the construction and improvement of rural electric infrastructure. In
an effort by the RUS Electric Program to administer its program in an
efficient and effective manner while improving its customer service and
experience, and in response to requests from the RUS Electric Program
borrowers, the Electric Program undertook a systematic review of
regulations and procedures in place to administer its program. In
addition to the final rule, the Electric Program has completed two
other streamlining efforts to date.
The final rule that published November 30, 2022 (87 FR 73433),
included a 60-day comment period that ended on January 30, 2023. The
Agency received one set of comments from the Osage Nation Historic
Preservation Office (ONHPO).
The Agency appreciates the comments from the ONHPO. The Agency
concurs that the term tribal areas should be more clearly defined. The
intent of the additional language is to ensure that non-Tribal
borrowers obtain consent of the Tribe, when proposing a service
territory that includes an area over which a Tribal government has
regulatory authority, similar to the consent and permits required to
build infrastructure in other jurisdictions. Additionally, borrowers
must comply with Tribal law when operating in tribal areas where Tribes
have regulatory authority.
The Agency agrees it is appropriate to consult with Tribes on such
a definition and will do so to determine the optimal policy mechanism
to define tribal areas and how to incorporate the definition into its
policies and practices at a later date. Applicants, borrowers, and
Tribes are encouraged to contact RUS for any needed clarification.
The crux of the additional comments from ONHPO were focused on
compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, the National
Environmental Policy Act, the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act, the Archaeological Resource Protection Act, the
American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and Executive Order 13007,
``Indian Sacred Sites.'' Nothing in the rule amends or alters the
Agency's regulatory and administrative requirements of this program
under the cited Statutes and Executive order, including the National
Historic Preservation Act and associated implementing regulations.
The Agency appreciates the suggestion that it meet with Tribal
Historic Preservation Departments in 2023. The Agency welcomes ongoing
input from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and the National
Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers regarding its
ongoing responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act.
[[Page 10238]]
Again, RUS appreciates and has considered the comments from the
ONHPO on the final rule. Due to the responses detailed above the Agency
confirms the final rule without change.
Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03418 Filed 2-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 17, 2023.
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