Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 77337 

Additional Information 

In order to receive notification of the 

issuance of the EA and to keep track of 

all formal issuances and submittals in 

specific dockets, the Commission offers 

a free service called eSubscription. Go 

to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/

esubscription.asp. 

Dated: December 8, 2015. 

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2015–31392 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission 

[Docket No. EL16–13–000] 

Emera Maine; Notice of Institution of 

Section 206 Proceeding and Refund 

Effective Date 

On December 7, 2015, the 

Commission issued an order in Docket 

No. EL16–13–000, pursuant to section 

206 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 

U.S.C. 824e (2012), instituting an 

investigation into the justness and 

reasonableness of Emera Maine’s 

proposed revisions to its Open Access 

Transmission Tariff for Maine Public 

District. Emera Maine, 153 FERC 

¶ 61,283 (2015). 

The refund effective date in Docket 

No. EL16–13–000, established pursuant 

to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the 

date of publication of this notice in the 

Federal Register. 

Dated: December 8, 2015. 

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2015–31393 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

[EPA–R09–OAR–2015–0779; FRL–9940–06– 

Region 9] 

Official Release of EMFAC2014 Motor 

Vehicle Emission Factor Model for Use 

in the State of California 

AGENCY: Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). 

ACTION: Notice of availability. 

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) is approving and 

announcing the availability of the latest 

version of the California EMFAC (short 

for EMission FACtor) model for use in 

state implementation plan (SIP) 

development and transportation 

conformity in California. EMFAC2014 is 

the latest update to the EMFAC model 

for use by California state and local 

governments to meet Clean Air Act 

(CAA) requirements. The new model, 

which is based on new and improved 

data, calculates air pollution emissions 

factors for passenger cars, trucks, 

motorcycles, motor homes and buses. 

Today’s notice also sets the date after 

which EMFAC2014, rather than 

EMFAC2011, must be used to satisfy the 

requirement that conformity 

determinations be based on the latest 

emissions model available. This 

requirement can be met by using the 

most current version of the motor 

vehicle emissions model approved by 

the EPA. Since the EMFAC model is 

used only in California, the EPA’s 

approval and the announcement of the 

availability of the model does not affect 

the applicability of the Motor Vehicle 

Emissions Simulator (MOVES) model 

for users in other states. 

DATES: The EPA’s approval of the 

EMFAC2014 emissions model for SIP 

and conformity purposes is effective 

December 14, 2015. EMFAC2014 must 

be used as described in this Notice for 

all new regional emissions analyses and 

carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate 

matter (PM10 and PM2.5) hot-spot 

analyses for transportation conformity 

purposes that are started on or after 

December 14, 2017. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Karina O’Connor, oconnor.karina@

epa.gov, (775) 434–8176, Air Planning 

Office (AIR–2), Air Division, U.S. EPA, 

Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San 

Francisco, California 94105–3901. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of 

the official version of the EMFAC2014 

model, including technical support 

documents, are available on the 

California Air Resources Board (CARB) 

Web site: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/

categories.htm#onroad_motor_vehicles. 

Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ 

and ‘‘our’’ refer to EPA. 

I. Background 

A. What is the EMFAC model? 

The EMFAC model is a computer 

model that can estimate emission rates 

for on-road mobile sources (‘‘motor 

vehicles’’) for calendar years from 2000 

to 2050 operating in California. 

Pollutant emissions for hydrocarbons 

(HC), CO, nitrogen oxides (NOX), PM10, 

PM2.5, lead, carbon dioxide (CO2), and 

sulfur oxides are output from the model. 

Emissions are calculated for fifty-one 

different vehicle classes composed of 

passenger cars, various types of trucks 

and buses, motorcycles, and motor 

homes. 

EMFAC is used to calculate current 

and future inventories of motor vehicle 

emissions at the state, air district, air 

basin, county, or project level. EMFAC 

contains default vehicle activity data, 

and the option of modifying that data, 

so it can be used to estimate a motor 

vehicle emissions inventory in tons/day 

for a specific year, month, or season, 

and as a function of ambient 

temperature, relative humidity, vehicle 

population, mileage accrual, miles of 

travel and speeds. Thus the model can 

be used to make decisions about air 

pollution policies and programs at the 

local or state level. 

Inventories based on EMFAC are also 

used to meet the federal CAA’s SIP and 

transportation conformity requirements. 

Transportation conformity is required 

under CAA section 176(c) to ensure that 

federally supported transportation 

plans, transportation improvement 

programs (TIPs), and highway and 

transit projects are consistent with 

(‘‘conform to’’) the purpose of the SIP. 

Conformity to a SIP means that a 

transportation activity will not cause or 

contribute to new air quality violations, 

worsen existing violations, or delay 

timely attainment of the national 

ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) 

or interim milestones. The EPA’s 

transportation conformity regulations 

(40 CFR parts 51.390 and 93) describe 

how federally funded and approved 

highway and transit projects meet these 

statutory requirements. EMFAC is used 

statewide in all regional emissions 

analyses and CO, PM10 and PM2.5 hotspot analyses for transportation 

conformity determinations in California. 

B. What versions of EMFAC are 

currently in use in California? 

Most SIPs in California were 

developed using EMFAC2011 (released 

by CARB in September 2011) or 

EMFAC2007 (released by CARB in 

October 2007). The EPA approved and 

announced the availability of 

EMFAC2011 on March 16, 2013 (78 FR 

14533) and approved and announced 

the availability of EMFAC2007 on 

January 18, 2008 (73 FR 3464) for all 

nonattainment and maintenance areas 

in California. 

EMFAC2011 was considered a major 

update to previous versions of EMFAC 

and most SIPs in California were 

updated with EMFAC2011 in the 2012– 

2014 timeframe. EMFAC2011 included 

a new model structure, new data and 

methodologies regarding calculation of 

motor vehicle emissions, and revisions 

to implementation data for control 

measures. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

77338 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 

1The EMFAC2014 model and supporting 

information is available for downloading at 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/categories.htm#

onroad_motor_vehicles. Technical documentation 

explaining the changes to the model and the 

technical foundations for the model is available at 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/downloads/emfac2014/

emfac2014-vol3-technical-documentation052015.pdf . 

2The EPA notes that EMFAC2014 can be used for 

CO2 emissions analyses as well, but there are no SIP 

or transportation conformity requirements for 

greenhouse gases (GHGs). In addition, although SO2

is listed as a potential precursor for PM2.5 formation 

in 40 CFR 93.102(b)(2)(v), this precursor has not 

been considered significant for the on-road mobile 

sources covered by transportation conformity in 

California to date. 

3For further information, see the EPA’s February 

4, 2011 Notice of Availability for the January 2011 

AP–42 Method for Estimating Re-entrained Road 

Dust from Paved Roads (76 FR 6328). Also, for 

using AP–42 for unpaved roads, see the EPA’s 

August 2, 2007 memorandum, ‘‘Policy Guidance on 

the Use of the November 1, 2006, Update to AP– 

42 for Re-entrained Road Dust for SIP Development 

and Transportation Conformity.’’ 

4For further information, see EPA’s January 9, 

2013 waiver of preemption for the Advanced Clean 

Cars regulations at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/

FR-2013-01-09/pdf/2013-00181.pdf. 

5See http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/workshopmeetings.htm. 

C. Why is the EPA announcing its 

approval of the EMFAC model? 

CAA section 172(c)(3) and 40 CFR 

51.114(a) require that SIP inventories be 

based on the most current, accurate, and 

applicable models that are available at 

the time the SIP is developed. CAA 

section 176(c)(1) and 40 CFR 93.111(a) 

require that the latest emissions 

estimates be used in conformity 

analyses. The EPA approves models that 

fulfill these requirements. 

Under 40 CFR 93.111(a), the EPA 

must approve new versions of EMFAC 

for SIP purposes before they can be used 

in transportation conformity analyses. 

In a May 21, 2015 letter, CARB 

requested that the EPA approve 

EMFAC2014 for use in developing SIPs 

and in determining conformity in 

California.1 EMFAC2014 is a significant 

change from previous EMFAC models 

with a new model user interface and is 

capable of calculating motor vehicle 

emissions for all California areas. 

EMFAC2014 is being approved as the 

latest emissions model for statewide use 

in SIP development and emissions 

analyses for conformity purposes. Since 

the EMFAC model is only used in 

California, the EPA’s statewide approval 

of the model does not affect the 

applicability of the MOVES emissions 

factor model for users in other states. 

II. EPA Action 

A. What version of EMFAC is the EPA 

approving? 

In this notice, the EPA is approving 

and announcing that EMFAC2014 is 

available to use in statewide California 

SIP development and for regional 

emissions analyses and CO, PM10 and 

PM2.5 hot-spot analyses for 

transportation conformity. EMFAC2014 

was developed by CARB and 

transmitted for approval to the EPA on 

May 21, 2015. 

The EMFAC2014 model has been 

rewritten using Python and MySQL 

software into a new structure that will 

facilitate future model updates, and 

allow CARB to incorporate updated 

regulations and emissions data into the 

model and provide for a more simplified 

user experience. The four major 

modules of EMFAC2011: EMFAC–LDV, 

EMFAC–HD, EMFAC–SG and EMFAC– 

PL have been integrated into 

EMFAC2014, under one interface. The 

model is now operated in either the 

Emissions Mode or the Emissions Rate 

Mode for regional emissions analyses to 

access emission databases and vehicle 

activity data for the appropriate 

geographic subarea. EMFAC2014 

Project-Level Assessment (EMFAC2014– 

PL) is triggered when EMFAC2014 is 

run under the Emissions Rate Mode. 

Using EMFAC2014–PL, emissions rates 

are estimated based on user-specified, 

project-specific conditions. A handbook 

for using EMFAC2014 at the project 

level is available from CARB at: 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/downloads/

emfac2014/emfac2014-vol2-plhandbook-052015.pdf. EMFAC2014 

allows users to run one model for SIP 

inventories, regional emissions analyses 

and project analyses. 

B. What analyses can EMFAC2014 be 

used for? 

The EPA is approving the model to 

estimate regional emissions of HC, CO, 

NOX, PM10, PM2.5, lead, and sulfur 

oxides.2 However, EMFAC2014 will 

only be used in transportation 

conformity for pollutants and precursors 

that are transportation-related 

emissions, e.g., HC, CO, NOX, PM10 and 

PM2.5. 

The EPA is also approving 

EMFAC2014 to estimate CO, PM10 and 

PM2.5 emissions for conformity hot-spot 

analyses involving individual 

transportation projects. A hot-spot 

analysis is defined in 40 CFR 93.101 as 

an estimation of likely future localized 

pollutant concentrations and a 

comparison of those concentrations to 

the relevant NAAQS. This analysis is 

conducted on a smaller scale than a 

nonattainment or maintenance area, e.g., 

for a congested roadway intersection. 

The EPA also notes that this approval 

action does not impact what 

methodology is required for calculating 

re-entrained road dust for regional PM10

and PM2.5 SIPs and transportation 

conformity analyses. EMFAC2014’s 

PM10 and PM2.5 estimates do not include 

such emissions. When applicable, PM10

and PM2.5 nonattainment and 

maintenance areas are required to use 

the EPA’s AP–42 road dust method for 

calculating road dust emissions, unless 

a local method is approved in advance 

by the EPA.3 In addition, EMFAC2014 

does not estimate ammonia emissions. 

Air quality and transportation agencies 

should contact the EPA Regional Office 

if ammonia emissions estimates are 

needed for SIPs or regional conformity 

emissions analyses. 

C. Why does the EPA consider 

EMFAC2014 to be a major update to 

EMFAC? 

EMFAC2014 includes significant 

changes to its model interface, new data 

and methodologies regarding 

calculation of motor vehicle emissions 

and revisions to implementation data 

for control measures. EMFAC2014 

includes updated data on car and truck 

activities, and emissions reductions 

associated with CARB’s Advanced 

Clean Cars regulations,4 supporting new 

estimates of emissions from heavyheavy duty diesel trucks and buses. 

Motor vehicle fleet age, vehicle types 

and vehicle population have also been 

updated based on 2000–2012 California 

Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) 

data. Each of these changes impact 

emission factors for each area in 

California. The new model interface for 

EMFAC2014 will allow users to update 

the default VMT data and speed profiles 

by vehicle class for different future 

scenarios. CARB’s Web site describes 

these and other model changes at: 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/categories.

htm#onroad_motor_vehicles. 

D. How were stakeholders and the 

public involved in the EMFAC 

development process? 

Since 2013, CARB has held a series of 

public workshops to discuss emissions 

inventory updates and EMFAC updates 

and to receive comments on the 

resulting changes in the emissions 

inventory and models.5 CARB also 

conducted beta testing of interim 

versions of the model with air districts 

and Metropolitan Planning 

Organizations (MPOs). Stakeholders and 

other members of the public had the 

opportunity to request briefings with 

CARB staff and provide them with 

comments and suggestions to improve 

the model. The EPA was included in 

those discussions and our suggestions 

were incorporated into the material 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 77339 

6To subscribe to CARB’s listserv for Mobile 

Source Emission Inventory development, see ‘‘Join 

our MSEI listserv’’ at www.arb.ca.gov/msei/

msei.htm. 

7See Web page http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/state

resources/transconf/projectlevel-hotspot.htm#pmhotspot for latest guidance documents and 

information. 

available on the CARB EMFAC public 

Web site. CARB also developed and 

posted training modules for 

EMFAC2014 and supports a mobile 

source emissions inventory email 

listserv to announce updates and 

changes to the EMFAC supporting 

material.6

CARB also made available to the 

public a series of technical memos that 

describe each update to the model and 

public presentations that summarize the 

changes from earlier versions of the 

model. The technical memos are 

available on CARB’s Web site at: 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/downloads/

emfac2014/emfac2014-vol4-comp-tableof-emfac-topics-052015.xlsx and at 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/categories.

htm#onroad_motor_vehicles. Specific 

changes incorporated into the 

EMFAC2014 model are also discussed 

in http://www.arb.ca.gov/msei/

downloads/emfac2014/emfac2014-vol3- 

technical-documentation-052015.pdf. 

All presentations from the public 

workshops are available on the CARB 

Web site at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/

msei/workshop-meetings.htm. 

E. Does this Notice establish a 

transportation conformity grace period 

for the use of this model? 

Yes. The transportation conformity 

rule (40 CFR 93.111) requires that 

conformity determinations be based on 

the latest motor vehicle emissions 

model approved by the EPA for SIP 

purposes for a state or area. Section 

176(c)(1) of the CAA states that 

. . . [t]he determination of conformity shall 

be based on the most recent estimates of 

emissions, and such estimates shall be 

determined from the most recent population, 

employment, travel, and congestion 

estimates. ... 

When the EPA approves and 

announces the availability of a new 

emissions model such as EMFAC2014, 

the EPA will consult with the U.S. 

Department of Transportation (DOT) to 

establish a grace period before the 

model is required for conformity 

analyses (40 CFR 93.111(b)). The 

conformity rule provides for a grace 

period for new emissions models of 

between 3 and 24 months after notice of 

availability is published in the Federal 

Register (40 CFR 93.111(b)(1)). 

The EPA articulated its intentions for 

establishing the length of a conformity 

grace period in the preamble to the 1993 

transportation conformity rule 

(November 24, 1993, 58 FR 62211): 

EPA and DOT [the Department of 

Transportation] will consider extending the 

grace period if the effects of the new 

emissions model are so significant that 

previous SIP demonstrations of what 

emission levels are consistent with 

attainment would be substantially affected. 

In such cases, States should have an 

opportunity to revise their SIPs before MPOs 

must use the model’s new emissions factors. 

In consultation with the Federal 

Highway Administration (FHWA) and 

the Federal Transit Administration 

(FTA), the EPA considers ‘‘the degree of 

change in the model and the scope of replanning likely to be necessary by MPOs 

in order to assure conformity’’ in 

establishing the length of the grace 

period (40 CFR 93.111(b)(2)). 

Upon consideration of these factors, 

the EPA is establishing a two-year grace 

period before EMFAC2014 is required 

for the following conformity analyses: 

• All new HC, NOX, PM10, PM2.5 and 

CO regional emissions analyses (e.g., 

supporting transportation plan and TIP 

conformity determinations); and 

• All new CO, PM10 and PM2.5 hotspot analyses supporting project-level 

conformity determinations. 

The grace period begins on December 

14, 2015 and ends on December 14, 

2017. Areas have the option of using the 

new model prior to the end of the grace 

period. 

As discussed earlier in the notice, 

EMFAC2014 incorporates significant 

changes to the model interface and 

procedures used to estimate both 

emissions for regional emissions 

analysis and hot-spot analyses for CO 

and PM. In addition to incorporating the 

new EMFAC2014 procedures, state and 

local agencies also need to consider how 

the model affects regional conformity 

analysis results and whether SIP and/or 

transportation plan/TIP changes are 

necessary to assure future conformity 

determinations. As stated earlier in the 

notice, the changes to EMFAC impact 

emission factors for each area in 

California. CARB has requested an 18- 

month grace period to allow them to 

update SIPs previously developed using 

EMFAC2007 or EMFAC2011 with the 

updated emissions from EMFAC2014 

during 2016. Therefore, additional time 

is necessary for CARB to revise 

previously approved SIPs with 

EMFAC2014 and complete the SIP 

revision process, so that MPOs can 

incorporate revised SIP budgets into the 

transportation conformity process. 

For application of EMFAC2014 at the 

project level, while EMFAC2014 was 

originally released by CARB in October 

of 2014, project sponsors developing 

future project-level analysis may need 

some time to familiarize themselves 

with this model. 

Therefore, it is appropriate to set a 

two-year grace period to allow all areas 

in California to incorporate EMFAC2014 

in conformity hot-spot analyses and 

apply the changes to the model 

structure and updated planning 

assumptions incorporated in 

EMFAC2014 in a timely manner. In the 

interim, new PM and CO hot-spot 

analyses that are started prior to the end 

of the EMFAC2014 grace period can be 

based on EMFAC2011 and the EPA’s 

existing PM hot-spot guidance 7 (40 CFR 

93.111(c)). 

When the grace period ends on 

December 14, 2017, EMFAC2014 will 

become the only approved motor 

vehicle emissions model for all new 

regional and hot-spot transportation 

conformity analyses across California, as 

a means of meeting the requirement to 

use the latest emissions information in 

conformity analyses (40 CFR 93.111). In 

general, this means that all new HC, 

NOX, PM10, PM2.5, and CO regional 

conformity analyses and CO, PM10 and 

PM2.5 hot-spot analyses started after the 

end of the two-year grace period must 

be based on EMFAC2014, even if the 

SIP is based on an earlier version of the 

EMFAC model. The EPA is considering 

what project-level guidance is necessary 

for EMFAC2014 and will make 

information available on the EPA’s Web 

site: www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/

transconf/projectlevel-hotspot.htm. 

In addition, in most cases, if an area 

revises previously approved 

EMFAC2011-based SIP budgets using 

EMFAC2014, the revised EMFAC2014 

budgets would be used for conformity 

purposes once the EPA approves the SIP 

revision. In general, the EPA will not 

make adequacy findings for these SIPs 

because submitted SIPs cannot 

supersede approved budgets until they 

are approved. However, 40 CFR 

93.118(e)(1) allows an approved budget 

to be replaced by an adequate budget if 

the EPA’s approval of the initial budgets 

specifies that the budgets being 

approved may be replaced in the future 

by new adequate budgets. This 

flexibility has been used in limited 

situations in the past, such as during the 

transition from EMFAC7F and 

EMFAC7G to EMFAC2002. See 67 FR 

46618 (July 16, 2002); 67 FR 69139 

(November 15, 2002); and 68 FR 15720 

(April 1, 2003). In such cases, the 

EMFAC2014-based budgets would be 

used for conformity purposes once they 

have been found adequate. States 

should consult with the EPA as needed 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

77340 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 

8For more information on qualitative PM hot-spot 

analyses, see the EPA and the FHWA’s joint 

‘‘Guidance for The Use of Latest Planning 

Assumptions in Transportation Conformity 

Determinations’’ (EPA420–B–08–901, December 

2008). 

to determine if this flexibility applies to 

their situation. 

F. Can areas use EMFAC2011 during the 

grace period? 

Yes, the conformity rule provides 

some flexibility for regional emissions 

analyses that are started before the end 

of the grace period. Analyses that begin 

before or during the grace period may 

continue to rely on EMFAC2011. The 

interagency consultation process should 

be used if it is unclear if an 

EMFAC2011-based analysis was begun 

before the end of the grace period. When 

the grace period ends, EMFAC2014 will 

become the EPA-approved motor 

vehicle emissions model for regional 

emissions analyses for transportation 

conformity in California. 

CO, PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analyses 

for project-level conformity 

determinations can be based on 

EMFAC2011 if the analysis was begun 

before the end of the grace period, and 

if the final environmental document for 

the project is issued no more than three 

years after the issuance of the draft 

environmental document (see 40 CFR 

93.111(c)). Therefore quantitative 

analysis already underway that were 

started before the end of the grace 

period using EMFAC2011 can be 

completed as long as 40 CFR 93.111(c) 

is satisfied. The interagency 

consultation process should be used if 

it is unclear whether an EMFAC2011- 

based analysis is covered by the 

circumstances described in the 

conformity rule. 

G. Future Updates to EMFAC 

On January 31, 2006, CARB submitted 

a letter to the EPA and to the California 

Division of the FHWA indicating the 

State’s intention to make future 

revisions to update EMFAC. These 

EMFAC updates would reflect, among 

other new information, updated vehicle 

fleet data every three years. In 

California, MPOs and Air Districts have 

not been able to update vehicle fleet 

data embedded into EMFAC. The EPA’s 

July 2004 final rule (69 FR 40004) states 

that new vehicle registration data must 

be used when it is available prior to the 

start of new conformity analyses and 

that states and MPOs are strongly 

encouraged to update the data at least 

every five years as described in EPA/

USDOT December 2008 guidance.8 The 

next update to the planning 

assumptions in EMFAC is expected in 

2017. 

III. Summary of EPA Actions 

As described in this notice, the EPA 

is approving and announcing the 

availability of EMFAC2014 as submitted 

by CARB on May 21, 2015 with the 

following limitations and conditions: 

(1) The approval is limited to 

California. 

(2) The approval is Statewide and 

applies to estimation of emissions of 

HC, CO, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, lead, and 

sulfur oxides. In addition, EMFAC2014 

will be used in transportation 

conformity regional emissions analyses 

for pollutants and precursors that are 

applicable in a given nonattainment or 

maintenance area. The EPA is approving 

the emission factor elements of 

EMFAC2014, but not the associated 

default travel activity (e.g. Vehicle Miles 

Traveled). The EPA is also approving 

EMFAC2014’s Emission Rate Mode that 

allows the model to estimate projectlevel emissions for CO, PM10 and PM2.5

conformity hot-spot analyses. 

(3) A 24-month statewide 

transportation conformity grace period 

will be established beginning December 

14, 2015 and ending December 14, 2017 

for the transportation conformity uses 

described in (2) above. 

Dated: December 2, 2015. 

Jared Blumenfeld, 

Regional Administrator, Region IX. 

[FR Doc. 2015–31307 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS 

COMMISSION 

[OMB 3060–0600] 

Information Collection Requirement 

Being Submitted to the Office of 

Management and Budget for 

Emergency Review and Approval 

AGENCY: Federal Communications 

Commission. 

ACTION: Notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort 

to reduce paperwork burdens, and as 

required by the Paperwork Reduction 

Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 

3520), the Federal Communications 

Commission invites the general public 

and other Federal agencies to take this 

opportunity to comment on the 

following information collection. 

Comments are requested concerning: 

Whether the proposed collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

Commission, including whether the 

information shall have practical utility; 

the accuracy of the Commission’s 

burden estimate; ways to enhance the 

quality, utility, and clarity of the 

information collected; ways to minimize 

the burden of the collection of 

information on the respondents, 

including the use of automated 

collection techniques or other forms of 

information technology; and ways to 

further reduce the information 

collection burden on small business 

concerns with fewer than 25 employees. 

The FCC may not conduct or sponsor 

a collection of information unless it 

displays a currently valid control 

number. No person shall be subject to 

any penalty for failing to comply with 

a collection of information subject to the 

PRA that does not display a valid Office 

of Management and Budget (OMB) 

control number. 

DATES: Written PRA comments should 

be submitted on or before January 4, 

2016. 

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to 

Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB, via email 

Nicholas_A._Fraser@omb.eop.gov; and 

to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@

fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. 

Include in the comments the Title as 

shown in the SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION section below. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

additional information about the 

information collection, contact Cathy 

Williams at (202) 418–2918. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Commission is requesting emergency 

OMB processing of the information 

collection requirement(s) contained in 

this notice and has requested OMB 

approval no later than 26 days after the 

collection is received at OMB. To view 

a copy of this information collection 

request (ICR) submitted to OMB: (1) Go 

to the Web page http://www.reginfo.gov/ 

public/do/PRAMain, (2) look for the 

section of the Web page called 

‘‘Currently Under Review,’’ (3) click on 

the downward-pointing arrow in the 

‘‘Select Agency’’ box below the 

‘‘Currently Under Review’’ heading, (4) 

select ‘‘Federal Communications 

Commission’’ from the list of agencies 

presented in the ‘‘Select Agency’’ box, 

(5) click the ‘‘Submit’’ button to the 

right of the ‘‘Select Agency’’ box, and (6) 

when the list of FCC ICRs currently 

under review appears, look for the Title 

of this ICR and then click on the ICR 

Reference Number. A copy of the FCC 

submission to OMB will be displayed. 

OMB Control Number: 3060–0600. 

Title: Application to Participate in an 

FCC Auction, FCC Form 175. 

Form Number: FCC Form 175. 

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