This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

57008 

Vol. 79, No. 185 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 

FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE 

AGENCY 

12 CFR Parts 1282 

RIN 2590–AA65 

2015–2017 Enterprise Housing Goals 

Correction 

In proposed rule document 2014– 

21118 appearing on pages 54482 

through 54516 in the issue of Thursday, 

September 11, 2014, make the following 

corrections: 

1. On page 54494, in table 2, in 

column number 2 ‘‘Goals’’, the first 

entry corresponding with year ‘‘2013’’ 

should read ‘‘265,000’’. 

2. On page 54494, in table 3, in 

column number 2 ‘‘Goals’’, the first 

entry corresponding with year ‘‘2013’’ 

should read ‘‘70,000’’. 

[FR Doc. C1–2014–21118 Filed 9–23–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 1505–01–D 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Safety and Environmental 

Enforcement 

30 CFR Part 250 

[Docket ID: BSEE–2014–0001] 

RIN 1014–AA22 

Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in 

the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); 

Helideck and Aviation Fuel Safety for 

Fixed Offshore Facilities 

AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and 

Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), 

Interior. 

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed 

rulemaking. 

SUMMARY: The BSEE is seeking 

comments on improving safety for 

operations related to helicopters and 

helidecks on fixed offshore facilities. 

Specifically, BSEE invites comments on 

whether to incorporate in its regulations 

certain industry and/or international 

standards for design, construction, and 

maintenance of offshore helidecks, as 

well as standards for aviation fuel 

quality, storage and handling. The BSEE 

also invites comments on whether it 

should incorporate existing standards, 

with modifications, and/or develop and 

propose new government regulatory 

standards for safety of helidecks and 

aviation fuel systems. As an alternative 

to incorporating or developing such 

standards, BSEE invites comments on 

whether to require submission of 

aviation-related safety plans for 

helidecks and offshore aviation fuel 

systems on Outer Continental Shelf 

(OCS) facilities. The BSEE also seeks 

information on past accidents or other 

incidents involving helidecks, 

helicopters, or aviation fuel on or near 

fixed OCS facilities. 

DATES: Submit comments by November 

24, 2014. The BSEE may not fully 

consider comments received after this 

date. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

on this notice by any of the following 

methods. Please use the Regulation 

Identifier Number (RIN) 1014–AA22 as 

an identifier in your comments. In 

addition, please refer to ‘‘Oil and Gas 

and Sulphur Operations in the Outer 

Continental Shelf—Helideck and 

Aviation Fuel Safety for Fixed Offshore 

Facilities, 1014–AA22,’’ in your 

comments and include your name and 

return address. The BSEE may post all 

submitted comments, in their entirety, 

at www.regulations.gov. See Public 

Availability of Comments. 

—Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://

www.regulations.gov. In the entry 

titled ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter 

BSEE–2014–0001, then click search. 

Follow the instructions to submit 

public comments and view 

supporting and related materials 

available for this rulemaking. 

—Mail or hand-carry comments to the 

Department of the Interior (DOI); 

Bureau of Safety and Environmental 

Enforcement; Attention: Regulations 

and Standards Branch; Office of 

Offshore Regulatory Programs; 381 

Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, 

Virginia 20170–4817. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Ralph Colleli, Regulations and 

Standards Branch, 703–787–1831, email 

address: regs@bsee.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary 

In accordance with the Outer 

Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 

BSEE and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) 

share regulatory authority over offshore 

facilities engaged in oil and gas 

operations—including exploration, 

development, and production 

activities—on the OCS. Among other 

purposes, BSEE’s regulations for 

offshore operations seek to prevent 

injury or loss of life and damage to 

property, natural resources, and the 

environment. As one means of 

achieving these goals, BSEE 

incorporates by reference in its 

regulations many industry standards 

applicable to offshore oil and gas 

operations. 

Although the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) has broad 

authority regarding helicopter-related 

safety issues and onshore and offshore 

flight safety, BSEE has the lead 

responsibility for safety of helidecks and 

aviation fuel storage and handling on 

fixed offshore facilities, while the USCG 

has the lead responsibility for helidecks 

and aviation fuel handling on floating 

offshore facilities. Currently, BSEE’s 

regulations incorporate and require 

compliance with certain industry 

standards that address some safety 

issues related to helidecks and the 

presence of helicopters and aviation fuel 

on fixed offshore facilities. However, 

BSEE’s existing regulations do not 

comprehensively address helideck or 

aviation fuel safety issues. 

Recent reports by the U.S Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

and the Helicopter Safety Advisory 

Conference confirm that helicopter 

accidents and helicopter-related 

incidents on or near offshore facilities 

are a significant concern. Similarly, 

incident reports submitted by offshore 

operators to the Minerals Management 

Service (MMS)—BSEE’s predecessor 

agency—or to BSEE over the past 15 

years indicate that incidents involving 

helicopter operations on or near 

offshore facilities have resulted in 

several fatalities, significant injuries and 

substantial property damage. 

The BSEE has reviewed existing 

industry and international standards for 

helideck and aviation fuel safety and 

believes that certain standards, if 

incorporated into BSEE’s regulations for 

fixed offshore facilities, could improve 

safety and reduce risks of injury and 


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1 Various terms are commonly used to describe 

the landing area for helicopters on offshore 

facilities, including ‘‘offshore heliport,’’ ‘‘helicopter 

landing deck,’’ and ‘‘helideck.’’ For simplicity and 

consistency, this ANPR uses the term ‘‘helideck.’’ 

damage to property without imposing 

undue burdens on the offshore oil and 

gas industry. However, we are also 

considering possible alternatives to 

incorporating, and requiring compliance 

with, relevant existing standards. For 

example, BSEE could incorporate only 

parts of existing standards, or 

incorporate certain standards with 

specific modifications, or even develop 

and adopt government standards, if 

appropriate. In addition, in lieu of 

requiring compliance with specific 

standards, we are considering whether 

to require that fixed offshore facility 

owners or operators develop aviationrelated safety plans that demonstrate 

how each facility would ensure safety 

and minimize risks associated with 

helidecks and aviation fuel systems. 

Before incorporating any existing 

standards or otherwise revising our 

regulations, we seek additional 

information about helicopter, helideck, 

and aviation fuel-related incidents 

related to fixed offshore facilities. In 

addition, we invite public comments on 

other issues related to offshore helideck 

and aviation fuel safety, including: 

—Any technical differences between 

fixed and floating facility helidecks; 

and 

—The potential costs of requiring 

compliance with various industry and 

international standards, including the 

potential costs of retrofitting existing 

helidecks and aviation fuel systems 

on fixed OCS facilities. 

BSEE’s Functions and Authority 

The BSEE promotes safety, protects 

the environment, and conserves offshore 

oil and gas resources through vigorous 

regulatory oversight and enforcement. 

The BSEE derives its regulatory 

authority primarily from the OCSLA, as 

amended, 43 U.S.C. 1331–1356a, which 

establishes Federal control over the OCS 

and authorizes the Secretary of the 

Interior (the Secretary) to regulate oil 

and natural gas exploration, 

development, and production 

operations on the OCS. In Secretarial 

Order 3299 (May 19, 2010), the 

Secretary assigned BSEE the 

responsibility for offshore safety and 

environmental enforcement, including 

the authority to: 

—Issue permits for activities, 

—Inspect, investigate, summon 

witnesses, and order production of 

evidence, 

—Levy penalties, 

—Cancel or suspend activities, 

—Oversee safety, response and removal 

preparedness, and 

—Ensure conservation of offshore oil 

and natural gas resources (see 76 FR 

64432, Oct. 18, 2011). 

To carry out its responsibilities, BSEE 

regulates exploration, development, and 

production of oil and natural gas on the 

OCS to enhance safety and 

environmental protection in a way that 

reflects advancements in technology 

and new information. In addition to 

developing and implementing such 

regulatory requirements, BSEE 

collaborates with standards 

development organizations and the 

international community to develop and 

revise safety and environmental 

standards, which BSEE may incorporate 

into its regulatory program. The BSEE 

also conducts on-site inspections to 

ensure compliance with regulations, 

lease terms, and approved plans. 

Detailed information concerning BSEE’s 

regulations and guidance for the 

offshore industry may be found on 

BSEE’s Web site at: http://

www.bsee.gov/Regulations-andGuidance/index. 

Public Participation and Availability of 

Comments 

The BSEE encourages you to 

participate in this advance notice of 

proposed rulemaking (ANPR) by 

submitting written comments as 

provided in the ADDRESSES and DATES

sections of this notice. However, before 

including your address, phone number, 

email address, or other personal 

identifying information in your 

comments, you should be aware that 

your entire comment—including your 

personal identifying information—may 

be made publicly available at any time. 

While you can ask us in your comments 

to withhold your personal identifying 

information from public view, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

Procedures for Incorporation by 

Reference and Availability of 

Incorporated Documents for Public 

Viewing 

In accordance with the National 

Technology Transfer and Advancement 

Act of 1995, Public Law 104–113, and 

OMB Circular A–119, Federal agencies 

are directed to use standards developed 

by voluntary consensus standards 

bodies—domestic or international—in 

lieu of adopting government-unique 

standards, except where inconsistent 

with law or impracticable. In addition, 

Federal agencies may choose to use 

standards developed by entities other 

than voluntary consensus standards 

bodies in their regulations. 

The BSEE frequently uses standards 

(e.g., codes, specifications, 

recommended practices (RP), bulletins, 

and reports) developed through a 

consensus process, facilitated by 

standards development organizations 

and with input from the oil and gas 

industry, as a means of establishing 

requirements for activities on the OCS. 

The BSEE may incorporate these 

standards into its regulations without 

republishing the standards in their 

entirety in the Code of Federal 

Regulations, a practice known as 

incorporation by reference. The legal 

effect of incorporation by reference is 

that the incorporated provisions become 

regulatory requirements. This 

incorporated material, like any other 

properly issued regulation, has the force 

and effect of law, and BSEE holds 

operators, lessees and other regulated 

parties accountable for complying with 

the incorporated documents. We 

currently incorporate by reference over 

100 consensus standards in BSEE’s 

regulations governing offshore oil and 

gas operations (see 30 CFR 250.198). 

Federal regulations at 1 CFR part 51 

govern how BSEE and other Federal 

agencies incorporate various documents 

by reference. Agencies may incorporate 

a document by reference by publishing 

the document’s title, edition, date, 

author, publisher, identification 

number, and other specified information 

in the Federal Register. The Director of 

the Federal Register must approve each 

publication incorporated by reference in 

a final rule. Incorporation by reference 

of a document or publication is limited 

to the specific edition approved by the 

Director of the Federal Register. 

Background Information for Helideck 

and Aviation Fuel Safety on Fixed OCS 

Facilities 

1. Responsibility for Offshore Helideck 

and Helicopter-Related Safety 

In a Memorandum of Agreement 

(MOA) dated September 30, 2004 (No. 

OCS–01), MMS and USCG identified, 

and agreed on how to share, certain 

responsibilities for regulation of OCS 

facilities. Under that MOA, MMS and 

USCG agreed that MMS (now BSEE) has 

the lead responsibility for aircraft (i.e., 

helicopter) landing and refueling 

systems (i.e., helidecks, fuel handling 

and storage) on fixed offshore facilities 

and that USCG has the lead for the same 

systems on mobile offshore drilling 

units (MODUs) and other floating 

offshore facilities.1 Subsequent MOAs 

(Nos. OCS–04, OCS–05, OCS–08) 

between USCG and MMS/BSEE have 

reiterated this sharing of responsibility 

for helidecks and aviation fuel handling 


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2The MMS/BSEE–USCG MOAs are available at 

www.bsee.gov/BSEE-Newsroom/PublicationsLibrary/Interagency-Agreements. 

3This FAA publication is available at http://

www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip/

aip_w_amds_1-3_dtd_7-24-14.pdf. 

4Under 33 CFR 143.207 and 146.205, foreignflagged MODUs engaged in OCS activities must 

comply with 46 CFR part 108 and part 109, 

respectively, or with equivalent standards of the 

relevant foreign nation, or with applicable 

standards of the International Maritime 

Organization. 

5As provided by 30 CFR 250.132(a)(2), OCS 

lessees and operators must provide helicopter 

landing sites and refueling facilities for any 

helicopters used by BSEE to regulate offshore 

operations. 

6 In addition, BSEE issued a national Notice to 

Lessees (No. 2011 N–08) in October 2011 advising 

OCS lessees and operators on how to mark 

helidecks for temporary closures, consistent with 

Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference 

Recommended Practices 2008–01 and 92–5. 

7Similarly, 30 CFR 250.800(b)(1) requires 

production safety systems on new floating 

production facilities to comply with API RP 14J. 

8Examples of unsafe or unworkmanlike helideck 

conditions cited in INCs include: Missing, 

corroded, or damaged helideck skirting; loose or 

damaged helideck surfaces; corroded helideck 

supports; loose equipment or other obstructions on 

helidecks; and loose or damaged handrails, 

guardrails, stairways or ladders. In addition, BSEE 

has issued several INCs under 30 CFR 250.107(a) for 

aviation fuel handling equipment. 

9The CDC report is available at http://

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/

mm6216a2.htm?s_cid=mm6216a2_w. 

and storage.2 Similarly, the FAA, which 

regulates onshore helipads and onshore 

and offshore helicopter flight safety, has 

recognized that helidecks on fixed 

offshore facilities are under the purview 

of DOI and that ‘‘shipboard and 

relocatable’’ helidecks are under the 

purview of USCG (see U.S. Aeronautical 

Information Publication (AIP), 22nd Ed., 

Amendment 3, July 24, 2014, at p. 1.7– 

95).3

a. USCG regulations. For U.S.-flagged 

MODUs, USCG has specific regulations 

for construction and size, fire 

protection, and location and markings 

for helidecks and for aviation fuel 

storage facilities and equipment (see 46 

CFR 108.231—108.241, 108.486– 

108.489, 108.653, 109.575—109.577). 

Under 33 CFR 143.207 and 146.205, 

those regulations or equivalent 

requirements also apply to foreignflagged MODUs.4 The only USCG 

regulation expressly addressing 

helidecks on OCS facilities other than 

MODUs is 33 CFR 143.110(b), which 

requires a protective device (e.g., a 

guardrail) around the perimeter of a 

helideck sufficient to prevent a person 

from falling. 

b. BSEE regulations. Under 30 CFR 

part 250, BSEE currently regulates over 

2,500 fixed OCS facilities—mostly 

located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) 

Region—the great majority of which 

have helidecks for transporting 

personnel and supplies offshore. 5 With 

the following exceptions, however, 

BSEE’s regulations do not expressly 

address helicopter, helideck, or aviation 

fuel safety issues. 

Section 250.154(a)(2) requires all OCS 

facilities with helidecks to display 

identification signs that include the 

weight capacity of the helidecks and 

that are visible from the air. Section 

250.490(f)(7) requires facilities operating 

in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) areas to 

submit contingency plans to BSEE that 

describe circumstances under which it 

is appropriate to evacuate personnel by 

helicopter during H2S emergencies; 

while section 250.490(j)(13)(viii) 

requires facilities to limit H2S-related 

evacuation flights to the circumstances 

described in their contingency plans 

and to provide respirator equipment to 

helicopter crews and passengers in such 

emergencies. 

The BSEE’s regulations also 

incorporate and require compliance 

with several industry standards that 

address helideck and aviation fuel 

safety issues. 6 For example, 30 CFR 

250.114 requires installation of 

electrical systems on all OCS facilities 

in compliance with American 

Petroleum Institute (API) RP 14F 

(Design, Installation, and Maintenance 

of Electrical Systems for Fixed and 

Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities, 

Fifth Edition) or API RP 14FZ (Design 

and Installation of Electrical Systems for 

Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum 

Facilities, First Edition). Those 

standards (which differ slightly 

according to the location of the 

platforms) include criteria: 

—For installation of perimeter lights, 

aircraft warning lights, and general 

lighting of helidecks, and 

—For locating antennas on platforms in 

areas that will not obstruct helidecks. 

In addition, 30 CFR 250.901(a)(14) 

requires that plans for design, analysis, 

fabrication, installation, use, 

maintenance, inspection, and 

assessment of all OCS platforms comply 

with API RP 14J (Design and Hazards 

Analysis for Offshore Production 

Facilities, Second Edition), as 

appropriate.7 In effect, API RP 14J states 

that facility operators should consider 

the location of helicopter fuel, 

helicopters, and helidecks on 

production facilities when designing gas 

venting and flaring equipment and 

platform communications systems. In 

addition, Appendix A.2 of API RP 14J 

provides a sample checklist of questions 

that operators may consider in 

developing facility-specific hazards 

analyses for their production facilities, 

including several questions regarding 

the design, layout, and materials for 

helidecks and the location of helicopter 

fueling systems. 

While sections 250.901 and 250.114 

do not directly impose helideck or 

aviation fuel storage requirements on 

facility operators, they allow BSEE to 

consider whether plans for offshore 

production platforms are consistent 

with API RP 14J and whether the 

installation of electrical systems on all 

facilities is consistent with API RP 14F/ 

14FZ. 

In addition, BSEE’s regulations 

require that each offshore facility be 

covered by a Safety and Environmental 

Management System (SEMS) program 

that addresses, among other things, 

safety and environmental hazards 

related to design, construction, 

operation and maintenance of the 

facility (see 30 CFR part 250, Subpart S). 

Because helideck and aviation fuel 

systems are features of most fixed 

offshore facilities, the SEMS programs 

for those facilities would also extend to 

those systems. Similarly, the SEMS 

rules require that contractors performing 

work for such facilities have written safe 

work practices, which may include 

appropriate sections of the facilities’ 

SEMS programs (see 30 CFR 250.1914). 

Moreover, section 250.107 requires 

OCS operators to: Perform all operations 

in a safe and workmanlike manner; 

maintain all equipment and work areas 

in a safe condition; and immediately 

control, remove or otherwise correct any 

health, safety or fire hazard. Under this 

authority, BSEE has issued notices of 

Incidents of Noncompliance (INCs) for 

unsafe conditions involving helidecks 

or related equipment or areas. From 

1998 to mid-2013, MMS/BSEE issued 

over 400 INCs under section 250.107(a) 

to fixed OCS facilities for unsafe 

conditions involving helidecks.8

Similarly, MMS/BSEE has issued over 

100 INCs for noncompliance with the 

helideck facility identification 

requirements of section 250.154(a)(2). 

2. Safety Incidents Related to Helidecks 

and Offshore Helicopter-Related 

Operations 

Despite the existing BSEE and USCG 

regulatory provisions, safety of 

helicopter-related systems and 

operations on and near offshore 

facilities remains a concern. In April 

2013, the CDC reported that, based on 

industry data, the leading cause of death 

for offshore oil and gas extraction 

workers between 2003 and 2010 was 

transportation to and from work sites.9

Specifically, CDC’s analysis indicates 

that of 128 fatalities involving offshore 


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10The CDC report also does not indicate how 

many incidents involved fixed offshore facilities 

and how many involved MODUs or other floating 

offshore facilities. Nor does that report indicate how 

many of the incidents were caused by factors that 

potentially could be addressed by BSEE regulations 

under OCSLA. 

11See ‘‘Helicopter Crashes Related to Oil and Gas 

Operations in the Gulf of Mexico,’’ Journal of 

Aviation, Space and Env. Med., Sept. 2011 (S. 

Baker, et al.), at pp. 885–888. 

12HSAC’s annual statistical reports on offshore 

helicopter incidents for 1999 through 2013 are 

available at http://hsac.org/Statistics.aspx. 

13All of the HSAC recommended practices are 

available for free online at HSAC’s Web site, 

www.hsac.org. 

oil and gas operations, 49 persons died 

in 17 incidents involving helicopters. 

The CDC reported that the most 

common factors in those incidents were 

mechanical failure and bad weather 

(although there were no bad weather 

crashes from late 2009 through 2012). It 

is not clear from this report whether any 

of the incidents occurred on or near 

fixed offshore facilities.10 However, the 

CDC report was based in part on an 

analysis of National Transportation 

Safety Board data on GOM helicopter 

crashes related to the oil and gas 

industry from 1983 through 2009 

indicating that: 

—19 crashes, resulting in six fatalities, 

involved helicopters striking objects 

on offshore platforms, and 

—Eight crashes, resulting in one fatality, 

involved failure to remove tie-downs 

before takeoff from offshore 

platforms.11

Similarly, in May 2014, the Helicopter 

Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC)—an 

organization that represents petroleum 

companies, drilling and oil service 

companies, and helicopter operators 

and manufacturers and that focuses on 

identifying and sharing information 

about offshore helicopter safety in the 

GOM—reported that there were 21 

offshore helicopter accidents in the 

GOM between 2009 and 2013, resulting 

in 11 fatalities and 15 injuries. The 

HSAC also reported that, between 1999 

and 2013, 17 offshore helicopter 

accidents involved helideck or other 

obstacle strikes, and six accidents 

involved aviation fuel management 

problems (although HSAC’s report does 

not indicate how many helicopter 

incidents involved fixed offshore 

facilities and how many involved 

MODUs or floating offshore facilities).12

The HSAC has also stated that, over 

the years, its member organizations have 

reported engine-related events resulting 

from aviation fuel contamination, 

although it is not clear from HSAC’s 

statements whether the reported fuel 

management and contamination 

problems occurred onshore or offshore 

(see HSAC RP 2004–02 (Jet Fuel Quality 

Procedures), May 2012, at p.1). 

The BSEE’s own incident data also 

indicate that there are ongoing safety 

concerns with helidecks and helicopterrelated operations on OCS facilities. 

Under section 250.188, the BSEE 

receives reports from OCS operators and 

lessees regarding certain incidents— 

including fatalities, significant injuries, 

property damage exceeding $25,000, 

and fires and explosions—that occur 

anywhere on their lease areas. Between 

1998 and mid-2014, BSEE received 

almost 100 incident reports involving 

helicopters, helidecks, or aviation fuel 

on or near fixed OCS facilities in the 

GOM and Pacific regions. Many of these 

reports involved helicopters crashing or 

ditching in the water before or after 

landing on OCS facilities for reasons 

(e.g., mechanical failures, bad weather, 

or pilot error) that may be unrelated to 

circumstances onboard the OCS 

facilities. A few of the engine failure 

incidents may have been related to 

contaminated fuel, although it is not 

clear from the incident reports whether 

the fuel in those incidents was provided 

onshore or offshore. In addition, a 

significant number of the incidents 

reported to BSEE involved helicopters 

striking parts of a platform or other 

materials on or close to a helideck. The 

remaining incidents included windrelated damage to helicopters that had 

already landed on a helideck, injuries to 

persons exiting or boarding helicopters 

on platforms, and other injuries on 

helidecks or resulting from helicopter 

operations. The BSEE is also aware of 

concerns that some helicopter accidents 

or near-misses may have been related to 

the engine’s ingestion of methane gas 

vented by a fixed OCS facility, although 

the exact causes of some events have not 

yet been confirmed. 

The CDC, HSAC and BSEE reports do 

not indicate, however, whether any of 

the OCS facilities involved in 

helicopter-related incidents were or 

were not meeting voluntary industry 

standards for helidecks and aviation 

fuel safety at the time. 

3. Domestic Standards and Guidance for 

Helidecks and Helicopter-Related 

Operations on Offshore Platforms 

Several industry and other 

organizations have developed voluntary 

standards or guidance expressly 

addressing safety issues related to 

helicopters, helidecks, and aviation fuel 

on offshore facilities. 

a. API RP 

API RP 2L (Planning, Designing, and 

Constructing Heliports for Fixed 

Offshore Platforms), 4th Ed. (1999, 

reaffirmed 2006), is a widely accepted 

voluntary consensus standard for design 

and construction of new helidecks on 

fixed offshore platforms. Among other 

safety issues, API RP 2L addresses: 

—Helideck structural materials and 

flight deck surfaces, Helideck design 

loads, 

—Location and size of helidecks, 

—Design of approach/departure and 

obstacle-free zones, 

—Location of helideck access and egress 

stairways and ladders, 

—Helideck fire protection, 

—Helideck safety equipment, including 

tie-down points and ropes, 

—Helideck lighting and markings, 

—Wind direction indicators, and 

—Positioning of aviation fueling 

stations on fixed platforms. 

The API is in the process of updating 

and substantially revising API RP 2L. It 

is our understanding that API expects to 

publish revisions to API RP 2L in three 

stages. The first stage (tentatively 

referred to as API 2L–1) is undergoing 

review in the API standard setting 

process and may be published later in 

2014. We understand that API 2L–1 is 

intended to address planning, design 

and construction of new helidecks on 

fixed offshore platforms. The second 

phase of the revisions to API RP 2L 

(tentatively called API 2L–2) is expected 

to address assessment, maintenance and 

management of existing (legacy) 

helidecks constructed prior to the 

publication of API RP 2L in 1996. The 

third phase of the revisions (tentatively 

API 2L–3) is expected to address 

operations and management of all new 

and existing helidecks. 

The BSEE has participated in relevant 

API committees and working groups 

responsible for drafting the first phase of 

the revisions to API RP 2L and will 

continue to closely monitor 

development of that document as well 

as the second and third phases of the 

revisions. 

b. HSAC RPs 

The HSAC has published several RPs 

applicable to offshore helicopter and 

helideck operations and aviation fuel 

quality. The HSAC—although not a 

consensus standard-setting 

organization—developed these RPs and 

guidelines in cooperation with API, the 

Offshore Operators Committee, and 

various other industry and technical 

organizations interested in offshore and 

aviation safety.13

Specifically, HSAC RP 2004–1 

(Offshore Helideck Inspections) 

complements existing API RP 2L by 

recommending practices and providing 


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a checklist for inspecting helidecks, 

identifying potentially hazardous 

conditions (structural and temporary), 

and notifying helicopter operators of 

potential hazards. Similarly, HSAC RP 

2004–07 (Helideck Hazards) encourages 

training for helicopter pilots to identify 

and report potential helideck 

obstructions and other hazards so 

facility owners can take corrective 

action. 

In addition, HSAC RP 2008–01 (GOM 

Helideck Markings) is intended to 

provide some consistency for markings 

on fixed platform helidecks in the GOM, 

based in part on API RP 2L and in part 

on international standards such as 

Annex 14 to the Convention on 

International Civil Aviation (CICA) 

adopted by the International Civil 

Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the 

United Kingdom’s (UK) Civil Aviation 

Authority Publication (CAP) 437 

(Standards for Offshore Helicopter 

Landing Areas), Feb. 2013. In particular, 

HSAC RP 2008–01 provides detailed 

guidance for issues such as: 

—Final approach and take-off area 

identification, 

—Obstacle-free sector identification, 

—Installation identification, 

—Access points, 

—Maximum allowable weight, 

—Helicopter size limits, and 

—Prohibited landing areas. 

Although helicopter operators are 

typically responsible for ensuring the 

quality of their own fuel under 

agreements with offshore facility 

operators, HSAC RP 2004–02 (Jet Fuel 

Quality Control Procedures), revised 

May 2012, offers guidance on storage, 

distribution and sampling of jet fuel, 

and on inspection of fueling systems for 

offshore helicopter flights. For example, 

HSAC RP 2004–02 recommends that: 

—Fuel system owners and operators 

develop written quality control 

procedures, coordinate inspection of 

all fuel systems, and correct any 

defects and report the defects to the 

helicopter operators, 

—Helicopter operator or aviation 

advisory personnel inspect all 

refueling systems at least once a year, 

—All fuel delivery systems have a filter/ 

separator equipped with a water 

defense system actuated by high water 

content, 

—All fuel storage containers be allowed 

to settle for at least an hour prior to 

use or sampling and that all required 

fuel samples be taken prior to the first 

refueling of the day, and 

—Portable offshore fuel transport tanks 

be tested and documented in 

accordance with Department of 

Transportation regulations (49 CFR 

parts 173 and 180). 

Other HSAC RPs address additional 

safety issues related to offshore 

helicopter and helideck operations. For 

example: 

—RP 88–1 (Passenger Management on 

Offshore Helideck Facilities), revised 

May 2010, recommends that 

helicopters be shut down prior to 

loading/unloading passengers, that 

designated passenger waiting areas be 

clear of the helideck and helideck 

access points, and that passengers be 

briefed before loading/unloading. 

—RP 89–1 (Crane-Helicopter 

Operational Procedures), revised May 

2010, recommends that platform 

cranes be shut down and cradled (if 

feasible) or pointed away from the 

helideck when helicopters are 

approaching or taking off, and that if 

a crane remains in use, the helicopter 

pilot and crane operator be in direct 

communication and that red warning 

lights on the crane be activated. 

—RP 92–2 (Perforating Operations: 

Helideck/Heliport Operational Hazard 

Warning(s)/Procedure(s)), revised 

May 2010, recommends that 

helicopter operators or bases be 

notified prior to offshore perforation 

operations, in order to avoid 

premature detonation of explosives by 

helicopter radio transmissions, and 

that helidecks be temporarily marked 

as closed whenever explosives may be 

affected by radio transmissions. 

—RP 92–3 (Hydrogen Sulfide Gas 

Helideck/Heliport Operational Hazard 

Warning(s)/Procedure(s)), revised 

May 2010, provides that oil field 

operators should activate a red 

rotating beacon if hydrogen sulfide is 

detected and notify nearby helicopters 

and bases, and that if a red beacon is 

observed or unusually strong odors 

are detected when flying near a 

helideck, pilots should put on 

protective air packs, exit upwind, and 

notify the facility of the suspected 

hazard. 

—RP 92–4 (Gas Venting, Helideck/

Heliport Operational Hazard 

Warning(s)/Procedure(s)), revised 

May 2010, recommends that pilots 

plan their approaches and takeoffs to 

avoid areas downwind of or over gas 

vents, that oilfield supervisors notify 

helicopter operators of planned gas 

venting operations, and that large, 

high-volume gas vents be equipped 

with red rotating beacons. 

—RP 92–5 (Helideck/Heliport 

Operational Warning(s)/Procedure(s)), 

Closed Helidecks or Heliports) states 

that a white X (or an orange or yellow 

X if the deck is painted white) from 

corner to corner of a helideck is the 

universal indicator that the landing 

area is closed and that helicopter 

operations are prohibited. 

—RP 93–2 (Offshore Helidecks/Landing 

Communications), revised May 2010, 

states that before landing on offshore 

facilities, pilots should make radio 

contact, if practicable, with the 

facility owners or operators and that, 

if radio contact is not practicable, 

pilots should contact the facilities’ 

owners or operators by telephone 

before departing for the facilities. 

—RP 93–3 (Multiple Helicopter 

Operations on Offshore Helidecks), 

revised May 2010, recommends that, 

before multiple helicopter operations, 

specific restrictions and procedures 

be developed to ensure that 

—Full clearance of at least one-third 

rotor diameter from all obstacles in 

the vicinity of the helideck is 

provided, 

—Factors such as helicopter weight 

and performance, wind, 

temperature and deck conditions 

are considered, 

—Helicopters are parked at least three 

feet from the helideck edge, and 

—Parked helicopters are shut down 

and all main rotor blades are 

properly tied down. 

—RP 94–1 (Helicopter Rapid Refueling 

(HRR)), revised May 2010, states that 

—decisions to conduct HRR require 

attention to weather, quality 

control, static electricity, spills and 

fire potential, 

—passengers should be de-boarded 

prior to beginning HRR unless the 

pilot deems it necessary for 

passengers to remain seated during 

HRR, and 

—only designated, properly trained 

personnel may operate HRR 

equipment. 

—RP 2004–05 (Night Offshore 

Helicopter Flights), May 2004, 

provides that helidecks should be at 

least one rotor diameter in size and 

capable of accommodating loaded 

helicopters of the weight and size for 

night flights, and that lighting should 

be adequate to illuminate 

obstructions, windsocks, and the 

helideck perimeter (consistent with 

API RP 2L). 

—RP 2005–1 (Helicopter Tiedown 

Practices), June 2005, recommends 

that 

—Offshore helicopters be equipped 

with helideck tiedowns capable of 

securing the helicopter at four 

points, 

—Tiedowns be inspected daily and 

replaced when excessively worn or 

deteriorated, 

—Helicopters be tied down when 

severe weather exists or is forecast, 

and 


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14The AIM is available for free online on FAA’s 

Web site at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/

publications/ATpubs/AIM/index.htm. 

15For example, the helideck warning and 

marking standards in existing API RP 2L and HSAC 

2008–1 may not be fully consistent with the most 

current international standards, including the latest 

version of the ICAO’s Annex 14 to the CICA. 

16The OGP Aircraft Management Guidelines are 

available for free online at http://www.ogp.org.uk/ 

pubs/390.pdf. 

17 Information about ICAO and its publications is 

available at http://www.icao.int/publications. 

18The UK’s CAP 437 is available free online at 

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP437.pdf. 

19Other international standards organizations 

include the Energy Institute (EI), which jointly 

produced (with API) EI 1529 (Aviation Fuelling 

Hose and Hose Assemblies), Sixth Ed., May 2005, 

an international standard for performance and 

testing of aircraft fueling hoses, couplings, and 

assemblies. Information about EI and its 

publications can be found at www.energyinst.org. 

20 Information about IMO and its publications is 

available at www.imo.org/Publications. 

21The OLF Helideck Manual, Jan. 2011, is 

available for free on OLF’s Web site at http://www.

norskoljeoggass.no/en/Publica/HSE-andoperations/Helideck-manual/. A companion OLF 

document, Recommended Guidelines for Helideck 

Personnel—074, April 2002, is also available at 

http://www.norskoljeoggass.no/Global/Retnings

linjer/Drift/LuftfartHelikopter/074%20%20

Recommended%20guidelines%20for%20helideck

%20personnel.pdf. 

—A parked helicopter be tied down 

when a medium or larger helicopter 

is landing or taking off. 

c. FAA Manual 

While the FAA recognizes BSEE’s 

purview over fixed offshore helidecks, 

the FAA also publishes information for 

potential use by pilots in performing 

their duties safely even in situations 

where other agencies may have 

regulatory responsibility. In particular, 

the FAA’s Aeronautical Information 

Manual: Official Guide to Basic Flight 

Information and ATC Procedures (AIM), 

Feb. 2012 (revised April 2014), provides 

information on offshore helicopter 

operations, including recommended 

practices expressly based on HSAC’s 

RPs for the GOM.14 Specifically, Section 

10–2–1 of the AIM provides guidance on 

offshore operations directly based on 

the HSAC RPs previously described. 

All of the documents described 

previously are potential candidates for 

incorporation by reference, in whole or 

in part, in BSEE’s regulations for fixed 

offshore facilities. However, some 

portions of some of the HSAC standards 

apply to issues (e.g., flight operations, 

pilot flight training, and helicopter 

design) that may be better addressed by 

the FAA or other agencies that regulate 

aircraft flight safety than by BSEE. In 

addition, as explained above, some of 

the standards (e.g., API RP 2L and 

HSAC RP 2008–1) are currently 

undergoing revision and may no longer, 

in some respects, reflect the best and 

safest technology or practices now in 

use.15 Accordingly, as discussed later in 

this notice, we are seeking comments on 

which of the above standards or 

portions thereof, if any, we should 

incorporate in BSEE’s regulations. 

4. International Standards and 

Guidance for Helidecks and HelicopterRelated Operations on Offshore 

Platforms 

In addition to the API and HSAC 

standards described previously, several 

international organizations have issued 

guidance documents that contain 

recommendations for helicopter, 

helideck, and aviation fuel safety on 

offshore facilities. For example, the 

International Association of Oil and Gas 

Producers (OGP) Aircraft Management 

Guidelines (Rept. No. 390, July 2008, 

updated August 2013), includes 

guidance on issues such as: 

—Fuel quality control (sec. 7.4), 

—Portable offshore fuel tanks (sec. 7.6), 

—Airbase/helideck fire protection and 

equipment (sec. 11.7), 

—Heliport and helideck design, size, 

obstructions, and offshore operational 

hazard considerations (sec. 11.9), 

—Helideck personnel qualifications 

(App. A5D), 

—Offshore weather reporting, 

forecasting, and planning (App. A6), 

and 

—Cold weather helideck precautions 

(App. A13.9.2.4).16

The OGP guidelines are, in turn, 

largely based on international codes and 

agreements, other guidance documents 

and industry best practices. In 

particular, OGP relies heavily on 

volumes I (Aerodromes) and II 

(Heliports) of Annex 14 to the CICA as 

adopted by the ICAO.17 The OGP also 

relies on the United Kingdom’s CAP 437 

for guidance on issues such as: 

—Helideck design and physical 

characteristics, 

—Helideck rescue and firefighting 

equipment, 

—Helideck management and operations, 

and 

—Aviation fuel systems and 

procedures.18

Other international standards or codes 

also address offshore helicopter-related 

safety.19 For example, the USCG 

regulations for helidecks and aviation 

fuel systems on MODUs, found in 46 

CFR parts 108 and 109, are intended to 

be consistent with the International 

Maritime Organization (IMO) code 

requirements for helicopter facilities on 

MODUs that were under development at 

the time the USCG regulations were 

adopted (see 43 FR 56788, December 4, 

1978). The original 1979 IMO Code for 

Construction and Equipment of MODUs 

(MODU Code) was replaced by the 1989 

IMO MODU Code, which in turn was 

substantially revised by the 2009 MODU 

Code.20 The 2009 MODU Code’s 

updated provisions for helidecks and 

helicopter facilities on newly 

constructed MODUs were prompted by 

similar changes made by ICAO to the 

CICA with regard to helicopter facilities 

(see IMO Resolution A.1023(26), 

December 2, 2009). Where appropriate, 

the 2009 MODU Code refers to the latest 

ICAO Annex 14 provisions for 

helicopter and heliport safety. 

Among other things, the 2009 MODU 

Code addresses: 

—Fire safety measures for helidecks 

(i.e., firefighting equipment, helideck 

design and construction materials, 

emergency exits), 

—MODU-helicopter communications, 

—Safety measures for refueling facilities 

and equipment, 

—Isolation of aviation fuel storage areas 

and tanks, 

—Helideck design and construction 

material, 

—Helideck perimeter safety netting and 

protection, 

—Visual aids (e.g., wind direction 

indicators, markings and warnings, 

perimeter and flood lighting, status 

and warning lights), 

—Removal or marking of obstacles on 

helidecks, and 

—Manuals for helideck operating 

procedures (including helicopter 

refueling). 

In addition to such international 

standards, several foreign countries with 

significant offshore oil and gas 

operations have adopted regulations, 

standards, and guidance applicable to 

helidecks and aviation fuel safety on 

fixed and floating offshore facilities. For 

example, the Norwegian Oil and Gas 

Association (OLF) Helideck Manual, 

Jan. 2011, for petroleum facilities on 

Norway’s continental shelf provides 

guidelines for helideck personnel 

training and qualifications, as well as 

summaries of Norwegian regulatory 

requirements for helideck materials, 

safety and rescue devices, firefighting 

equipment and systems, visual aids, and 

communications.21 The OLF Helideck 

Manual also provides guidance on 

helideck operations and aviation fuel 

safety procedures, including: 

—Fuel sampling and testing, 

—Inspection of fuel hoses and nozzles, 

—Fuel transport and storage tanks, and 

—Normal and ‘hot’ refueling 

procedures. 


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22For example, the Air Transport Association of 

America (ATA), an association of commercial 

airlines, has adopted a standard (ATA Spec. 103: Jet 

Fuel Quality Control at Airports, revised 2006) that 

provides guidance on recognized industry 

inspection procedures and safety checks for jet fuel 

storage and distribution at airports. Although this 

standard is intended primarily for the commercial 

airline industry, and is not focused on helicopter 

fuel or offshore helidecks, it may contain useful 

information regarding aviation fuel quality, storage, 

and handling that could inform BSEE’s future 

decisions. More information about ATA and this 

standard is available at www.airlines.org. 

Although BSEE is not required to 

incorporate by reference any standards 

that are not adopted by voluntary 

consensus standard-setting 

organizations, each of the above 

domestic and international documents, 

as well as others not described above, 

may contain valuable information on 

the best available and safest technology 

for fixed OCS facilities.22 Thus, such 

standards, codes, and guidelines could 

be considered for possible incorporation 

(in whole or in part) in BSEE’s rules or 

could help BSEE determine whether 

other standards—such as API’s and 

HSAC’s RPs—should be incorporated 

instead. In addition, BSEE could 

consider incorporating a combination of 

appropriate domestic and international 

standards to create a comprehensive, 

up-to-date regulatory framework that 

reduces potential safety risks related to 

helidecks and aviation fuel systems on 

fixed OCS facilities. 

Other Options for Consideration 

In addition to considering 

incorporating by reference existing 

industry or other domestic and/or 

international standards, BSEE is 

considering other regulatory approaches 

to reduce aviation-related safety risks 

for fixed offshore facilities. For example, 

some portions of an otherwise useful 

standard may be out of date or may be 

incompatible with portions of another 

potentially useful standard. In such 

cases, BSEE could incorporate in the 

regulations relevant parts of an existing 

standard, and/or adopt appropriate 

modifications to other parts of that 

standard or other standards, and/or 

develop and adopt new prescriptive 

requirements to minimize risks and 

improve safety. 

The BSEE is also considering whether 

any newly incorporated or other new 

regulatory standards for helideck design 

or construction, and for aviation fuel 

systems, should apply only to new 

helidecks and aviation fuel systems 

installed on fixed facilities after the 

effective date of such final regulations, 

or should also apply to existing 

helidecks and fuel systems on fixed 

OCS facilities, even if that requires 

retrofitting. Accordingly, BSEE will seek 

additional information on the potential 

costs and other impacts of retrofitting. 

As an alternative to incorporating 

specific standards or adopting other 

prescriptive requirements, BSEE is 

considering whether to require owners 

or operators of fixed OCS facilities to 

develop aviation-related safety plans 

that would demonstrate how the owner 

or operator would ensure safe 

helicopter, helideck, and aviation fuel 

system operations. For example, such a 

plan could demonstrate that a fixed OCS 

facility would comply with certain 

industry or other standards that, taken 

together, would reduce risks and ensure 

safe and workmanlike conditions and 

safe work areas. The BSEE is also 

considering whether such plans, if 

required, should be submitted to and 

approved by BSEE or should be subject 

to evaluation by BSEE upon request 

(like the SEMS programs required under 

Subpart S of 30 CFR part 250). 

In addition, in order to determine 

whether OCS facilities and their 

personnel are complying with such 

plans, BSEE is considering whether 

such aviation-related safety plans 

should be subject to periodic auditing 

by BSEE or by an accredited third-party 

(like the SEMS programs, see 30 CFR 

250.1920–250.1922) or by any other 

entity. 

Finally, BSEE is aware of the 

importance of consistency between 

regulatory requirements for all OCS 

facilities, whether fixed or floating. 

Accordingly, BSEE is considering 

various options for coordinating any 

future proposed rulemaking with the 

USCG to maximize consistency between 

BSEE’s and USCG’s rules. The BSEE 

also plans to consult with the FAA and 

other agencies interested in safety of 

offshore helicopter operations, as 

appropriate. 

Issues for Public Comment 

For the reasons described above, 

BSEE seeks public comments on the 

following issues only. Although BSEE is 

not required to respond in writing to 

such comments, BSEE will consider 

relevant comments in developing any 

proposed rules for improving safety of 

helidecks and aviation fuel storage and 

handling on fixed OCS facilities. Please 

identify the specific issue that your 

comments address by referring to the 

following issue numbers. 

(1) In addition to the statistical reports 

and summaries described in this notice, 

what other relevant, reliable data on 

accidents or other safety issues related 

to helicopters, helidecks, or aviation 

fuel systems on fixed offshore facilities 

should BSEE consider before deciding 

whether to propose any new 

regulations? 

(2) Which existing domestic or 

international standards or guidance 

documents, if any, related to planning, 

design, construction, inspection, 

maintenance and/or use of helidecks on 

fixed offshore facilities should BSEE 

consider incorporating by reference in 

its regulations? What would the 

potential cost impacts be if BSEE 

incorporated, and required compliance 

with, such documents? 

(3) Which domestic or international 

standards or guidance for aviation fuel 

quality, storage, or handling should 

BSEE consider incorporating in its 

regulations for fixed offshore facilities? 

What would the potential cost impacts 

be if BSEE incorporated, and required 

compliance with, such documents? 

(4) If you think that BSEE should 

consider incorporating any existing 

standards for helidecks or aviation fuel 

systems, please identify any specific 

provisions in those standards that BSEE 

should not incorporate, or that BSEE 

should modify or supplement before 

incorporation. 

(5) If you are a fixed offshore facility 

owner or operator, please describe how 

you currently address any existing 

industry or other standards regarding 

safety of helidecks and aviation fuel 

systems. 

(6) What differences between fixed 

and floating offshore facilities should 

BSEE consider with regard to whether 

any existing standards that apply to 

floating offshore facilities should be 

incorporated by BSEE for applicability 

to fixed offshore facilities? How 

important is it that requirements for 

helidecks and/or aviation fuel systems 

on fixed and floating offshore facilities 

be consistent? 

(7) What provisions, if any, of USCG’s 

regulations for helidecks on MODUs (46 

CFR parts 108 and 109) should BSEE 

consider in developing any helideck 

regulations for fixed offshore facilities? 

(8) If, as an alternative to requiring 

facilities to comply with specific 

standards, BSEE required owners or 

operators of fixed offshore facilities to 

develop aviation-related safety plans 

demonstrating how they would ensure 

safe helicopter, helideck, and aviation 

fuel management operations, how 

should BSEE ensure the adequacy of, 

and compliance with, such plans? 

(a) For example, should BSEE or an 

accredited third party or some other 

entity conduct audits of such plans to 

verify the adequacy and proper 

implementation of the plans? 

(9) If BSEE proposes to incorporate 

any existing industry standard or 

prescribe any other requirements for 


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helideck lighting, what helideck 

perimeter lighting properties (e.g., 

specific color, brightness) should we 

incorporate or otherwise require? 

(10) If BSEE decides to apply any new 

regulatory standards for helideck design 

or construction, and for aviation fuel 

systems, to all existing helidecks and 

fuel systems on fixed OCS facilities, 

even if that required retrofitting existing 

helidecks or aviation fuel systems, what 

types of costs would existing facilities 

potentially incur? 

(11) What structural, technical or 

economic issues related to the aging of 

existing offshore facilities and helidecks 

should BSEE consider when deciding 

how to improve aviation-related safety 

on fixed OCS facilities? 

(12) Are you aware of any potential 

risks from helicopter engines ingesting 

methane or other gases vented from a 

fixed OCS facility and, if so, how should 

BSEE address those potential risks? 

Dated: September 11, 2014. 

David E. Haines, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and 

Minerals Management. 

[FR Doc. 2014–22716 Filed 9–23–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–VH–P 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

34 CFR Chapter II 

RIN 1810–AB22 

[Docket ID ED–2014–OESE–0079] 

Proposed Requirements—School 

Improvement Grants—Title I of the 

Elementary and Secondary Education 

Act of 1965 

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and 

Secondary Education, Department of 

Education. 

ACTION: Proposed requirements; 

correction. 

SUMMARY: On September 8, 2014, the 

Department of Education published in 

the Federal Register a notice of 

proposed requirements for the School 

Improvement Grants authorized under 

title I of the Elementary and Secondary 

Education Act of 1965, as amended. 

This notice corrects the Docket ID used 

to submit public comments that is listed 

in the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

section. 

DATES: Effective September 24, 2014. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Correction 

In the Federal Register of September 

8, 2014 (79 FR 53254), on page 53275, 

in the middle column under ADDRESSES, 

the Docket ID is listed as ED–2014– 

OESE–0179. The correct Docket ID to 

comment on the information collection 

requirements is ED–2014–OESE–0079. 

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6303(g); 

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Pub. 

L. 113–76). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Elizabeth Ross, U.S. Department of 

Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 

Room 3C116, Washington, DC 20202. 

Telephone: (202) 260–8961 or by email: 

Elizabeth.Ross@ed.gov. 

If you use a telecommunications 

device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 

telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay 

Service, toll free, at 1–800–877–8339. 

Accessible Format: Individuals with 

disabilities can obtain this document 

and a copy of the application package in 

an accessible format (e.g., braille, large 

print, audiotape, or compact disc) on 

request to the program contact person 

listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT. 

Electronic Access to This Document: 

The official version of this document is 

the document published in the Federal 

Register. Free Internet access to the 

official edition of the Federal Register 

and the Code of Federal Regulations is 

available via the Federal Digital System 

at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you 

can view this document, as well as all 

other documents of this Department 

published in the Federal Register, in 

text or Adobe Portable Document 

Format (PDF). To use PDF you must 

have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is 

available free at the site. 

You may also access documents of the 

Department published in the Federal 

Register by using the article search 

feature at: www.federalregister.gov. 

Specifically, through the advanced 

search feature at this site, you can limit 

your search to documents published by 

the Department. 

Dated: September 19, 2014. 

Deborah S. Delisle, 

Assistant Secretary for Elementary and 

Secondary Education. 

[FR Doc. 2014–22690 Filed 9–23–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND 

SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

48 CFR Parts 1809, 1815, 1816, 1817, 

1819, 1823, 1827, 1828, 1831, 1832, 

1837, 1842, 1849, and 1852 

RIN 2700–AE09 

NASA FAR Supplement Regulatory 

Review No. 2 

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: NASA is updating the NASA 

FAR Supplement (NFS) with the goal of 

eliminating unnecessary regulation, 

streamlining overly-burdensome 

regulation, clarifying language, and 

simplifying processes where possible. 

This proposed rule is the second in a 

series and includes updates and 

revisions to 14 parts of the NFS. On 

January 18, 2011, President Obama 

signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13563, 

Improving Regulations and Regulatory 

Review, directing agencies to develop a 

plan for a retrospective analysis of 

existing regulations. The revisions to 

this proposed rule are part of NASA’s 

retrospective plan under E.O. 13563 

completed in August 2011. 

DATES: Interested parties should submit 

comments to NASA at the address 

below on or before November 24, 2014 

to be considered in formulation of the 

final rule. 

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may 

submit comments, identified by RIN 

number 2700–AE09 via the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal: http://

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

Comments may also be submitted to 

Leigh Pomponio via email at 

leigh.pomponio@NASA.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Leigh Pomponio, NASA, Office of 

Procurement, (202) 358–0592, email: 

leigh.pomponio@NASA.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background 

The NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) is 

codified at 48 CFR part 1800. 

Periodically, NASA performs a 

comprehensive review and analysis of 

the regulation, makes updates and 

corrections, and reissues the NASA FAR 

Supplement. The last reissue was in 

2004. The goal of the review and 

analysis is to reduce regulatory burden 

where justified and appropriate and 

make the NFS content and processes 

more efficient and effective, faster and 

simpler, in support of NASA’s mission. 

Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS