American Geosciences Institute

Federal Register Summary: July 2018

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Call for Nominations and Comments for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska 2018 Oil and Gas Lease Sale

July 19, 2018—The BLM Alaska State Office issued a call for nominations and comments on the available tracts for leasing for the upcoming National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) 2018 Oil and Gas Lease Sale. All nominations and comments must be received on or before August 20, 2018. [83 FR 34161]

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Revisions; Correction; Extension of Comment Period

July 5, 2018—BSEE is extending the comment period for the proposed rule, “Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control-Revisions,” published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2018 (83 FR 22128). The comment period will now end on August 6, 2018. In addition, BSEE is amending a section of the preamble of the proposed rule to clarify how to submit public comments and view the documents proposed for incorporation. [83 FR 31343]

Department of Energy (DOE)

Call for nominations for membership on the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee

July 20, 2018—DOE is seeking nominations for candidates to fill upcoming vacancies on the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee. The committee provides recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on the DOE’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Program test procedures and rulemaking determinations. The nomination period will end on August 20, 2018. [83 FR 34559]

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Notice of Open Meeting of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB)

July 8, 2018—The EPA Environmental Financial Advisory Board will hold an open meeting on August 21 and 22 in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss approaches to environmental program funding. The discussion and presentation topics will include, but are not limited to, pre-disaster resiliency investment and finance, water quality restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Rural Alaska Waste Backhaul Service Program, and Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center activities. Members of the public register must no later than August 3, and seating is limited. [83 FR 31756]

Request for Nominations of Candidates to the EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) and SAB Standing Committees

July 9, 2018—EPA invites nominations of scientific experts to be considered for the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) and four SAB committees: the Agricultural Science Committee, the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee, the Drinking Water Committee, and the Radiation Advisory Committee. Any individual or organization may nominate qualified individuals by August 8. [83 FR 31752]

Notification of a Public Meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards Review Panel for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur

July 9, 2018—EPA announced a public meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards Review Panel for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur to be held on September 5 and 6 in Durham, North Carolina. The panel will review two documents: (1) Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur, and Particulate Matter—Ecological Criteria (Second External Review Draft), and (2) Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ecological Effects of Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter: Risk and Exposure Assessment Planning Document. [83 FR 31755]

Definition of “Waters of the United States”- Recodification of Preexisting Rule

July 12, 2018—EPA issued a notice to clarify, supplement, and seek additional comment on an earlier proposal, published on July 27, 2017, to repeal the 2015 Rule Defining Waters of the United States, which will roll back the expanded definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) regulated under the Clean Water Act. Comments must be received on or before August 13, 2018. [83 FR 32227]

Request for Nominations of Experts for the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Ozone Review Panel

July 27, 2018—EPA requests public nominations for scientific experts to serve on the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) ad hoc ozone review panel. The panel provides advice on ozone air quality criteria and the national Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Nominations should be submitted by August 17. [83 FR 35635]

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Interstate and Intrastate Natural Gas Pipelines; Rate Changes Relating to Federal Income Tax Rate; American Forest & Paper Association

July 30, 2018—The FERC released a final rule on procedures for determining which natural gas pipelines are collecting unjust or unreasonable rates. The procedures allow interstate natural gas pipelines to voluntarily reduce their rates. [83 FR 36672]

Cyber Security Incident Reporting Reliability Standards

July 31, 2018—Effective October 1, 2018, the FERC will require the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to update its Reliability standards to bolster the mandatory reporting of Cyber Security Incidents. [83 FR 36727]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA's Implementation of the Department of Commerce 2018-2022 Strategic Plan; Public Meetings

July 25, 2018—NOAA will hold multiple listening sessions in various states between August and November to receive stakeholder input on its implementation of the Department of Commerce’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. NOAA also plans to energize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, which facilitates public-private partnerships to fund marine research. [83 FR 35219]

Science and Technology for America's Oceans: A Decadal Vision

July 28, 2018—The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is soliciting public input on a the content of a report titled “Science and Technology for America's Oceans: A Decadal Vision.” This report identifies research needs and opportunities in ocean science and technology for 2018 to 2028. Comments must be submitted by August 27, 2018. [83 FR 30420]

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Call for Nominations to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee

July 13, 2018—The Department of the Interior is seeking nominations for new members of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC), which provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior on the management of federal geospatial programs. Nominations must be received by August 27. [83 FR 32677]