| [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 |
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