| [Federal Register: August 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number
148)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 42005] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03au99-2] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service 7 CFR Part 1728 Electric Overhead Distribution Lines; Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of compliance with Bulletin 50-5 or 1728F-803. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In 1998 the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) updated and revised its bulletin of specifications and drawings for 24.9/14.4kV overhead distribution line construction. The bulletin, formerly named Bulletin 50-5, was renamed ``RUS Bulletin 1728F-803; Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction.'' This bulletin is incorporated by reference (IBR) in 7 CFR part 1728. As published in the Federal Register on December 31, 1998, at 63 FR 72102, this bulletin was approved for IBR by the Director of the Federal Register and was effective February 1, 1999. To allow borrowers to conduct an orderly transition from the old Bulletin 50-5 to the new construction assemblies and assembly numbers of the new Bulletin 1728F-803, RUS allowed compliance to either bulletin through December 31, 1999, in a compliance notice published in the Federal Register on March 29, 1999, at 64 FR 14813. To prevent additional errors which may result from the year 2000 compliance transitions, RUS has extended the compliance date for borrowers to utilize construction drawings in either Bulletin 50-5 or the new Bulletin 1728F-803 until July 1, 2001. After July 1, 2001, only Bulletin 1728F-803 standard drawings shall be used. It is anticipated that this action will also allow borrowers sufficient time to make necessary changes in engineering and accounting procedures and associated computer software. EFFECTIVE DATE: August 3, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James L. Bohlk, Electrical Engineer, Distribution Branch, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. telephone: (202) 720-1967. Fax: (202) 720-7491. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) amended 7 CFR Chapter XVII, Part 1728, Electric Standards and Specification for Materials and Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin 50-5 (D-803), Specification and Drawings for 14.4/24.9 kV Line Construction, and renumbered it as RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. RUS maintains a system of bulletins that contains construction standards and specifications for materials and equipment. These standards and specifications apply to system facilities constructed by RUS electric and telecommunications borrowers in accordance with the RUS loan contract, and contains standard construction units, material, and equipment units commonly used in RUS electric and telecommunication borrowers' systems. RUS Bulletin 1728F-803 provides dimensioned drawings of standard assembly units and specifications for the construction of 24.9/14.4 kV overhead electric distribution lines. RUS changed the bulletin number from RUS Bulletin 50-5 to RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. The change in the bulletin number and reformatting was necessary to conform to RUS' new publications and directives system. This bulletin is incorporated by reference in Sec. 1728.97. It may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15250-7954. Dated: July 28, 1999. Blaine D. Stockton, Jr., Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 99-19830 Filed 8-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P |