Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 96 / Thursday, May 17, 2012 / Notices 29317 

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Todd A. Stevenson, Office of the 

Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product 

Safety Commission, 4330 East West 

Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 

504–7923. 

Dated: May 15, 2012. 

Todd A. Stevenson, 

Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2012–12135 Filed 5–15–12; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 6355–01–P 

DENALI COMMISSION 

Fiscal Year 2011 Draft Work Plan 

AGENCY: Denali Commission. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Denali Commission 

(Commission) is an independent federal 

agency based on an innovative federalstate partnership designed to provide 

critical utilities, infrastructure and 

support for economic development and 

training in Alaska by delivering federal 

services in the most cost-effective 

manner possible. The Commission was 

created in 1998 with passage of the 

October 21, 1998 Denali Commission 

Act (Act) (Title III of Pub. L. 105–277, 

42 U.S.C. 3121). The Denali 

Commission Act requires that the 

Commission develop proposed work 

plans for future spending and that the 

annual Work Plan be published in the 

Federal Register, providing an 

opportunity for a 30-day period of 

public review and written comment. 

This Federal Register notice serves to 

announce the 30-day opportunity for 

public comment on the Denali 

Commission Draft Work Plan for Federal 

Fiscal Year 2011. 

DATES: Comments and related material 

to be received by June 10, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the 

Denali Commission, Attention: Sabrina 

Hoppas, 510 L Street, Suite 410, 

Anchorage, AK 99501. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Sabrina Hoppas, Denali Commission, 

510 L Street, Suite 410, Anchorage, AK 

99501. Telephone: (907) 271–1414. 

Email: shoppas@denali.gov. 

On June 17, 2011, the Commission 

published in the Federal Register a 

proposed FY 2011 Work Plan. The 

Commission met subsequently and 

recommended an amended FY 2011 

Work Plan, as presented in this 

document. 

Several factors contributed to this 

amended FY 2011 Work Plan including 

continuing resolutions (CRs) passed by 

Congress late in the fiscal year resulting 

in latent consideration of the FY 2011 

annual Work Plan by the 

Commissioners (Commissioners met on 

June 2, 2011 to consider the FY 2011 

annual Work Plan). In addition, the final 

FY 2011 budget included a rescission of 

$15,000,000 in prior year unobligated 

funds and uncertainty on how the 

rescission may impact the FY2011 Work 

Plan was not resolved until September 

2011. 

With concurrence from the Office of 

Management and Budget and the 

Secretary of Commerce, the amended 

FY 2011 annual Work Plan will be 

processed concurrently with the FY 

2012 Work Plan. The FY 2012 annual 

Work Plan is not included as part of this 

amended FY 2011 annual Work Plan 

document. 

Changes are as follows. 

Final FY 2011 funding received is 

provided in the table below. 

Denali Commission FY 2011 

funding table Totals 

FY 2011 Energy & Water 

Appropriation ..................... $10,678,600 

FY 2011 USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) ............ 5,775,000 

FY 2011 Trans Alaska Pipeline Liability (TAPL) Trust 7,010,000 

FY 2011 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) ............. 5,000,000 

Total FY 2011 Federal 

Program Available ..... 28,463,600 

Final FY 2011 obligations and 

expenditures are discussed below. 

Administrative Funds: Reduced from 

$2,558,250 to $2,000,000. 

Energy Program: The bulk fuel and 

rural power system upgrade programs 

are reduced from $3,770,350 to 

$1,828,600. Renewable energy planning 

and community technical assistance on 

heating, power and transportation 

energy use is unchanged ($300,000). 

The emerging energy technology fund is 

reduced from $2,400,000 to $1,700,000. 

Transportation Program: It is noted 

that the $14,025,000 shown in the FY 

2011 Work Plan for FY 2011 Federal 

Highway Administration funding 

(FHWA) was not provided to the 

Commission, but was provided directly 

to the Alaska Department of 

Transportation. 

Health Program: Reduced from 

$700,000 to $0. 

Training Program: Reduced from 

$500,000 to $0. 

Development Program: Reduced from 

$250,000 to $0. 

Solid Waste Program: Reduced from 

$100,000 to $0. 

Sponsorship Program: Reduced from 

$100,000 to $0. 

The reductions noted above total 

$4,850,000 and were used to address the 

$15,000,000 rescission. Also, a total of 

$10,150,000 in prior year unobligated 

funding was used to address the 

$15,000,000 rescission. 

Joel Neimeyer, 

Federal Co-Chair. 

[FR Doc. 2012–11943 Filed 5–16–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3300–01–P 

DENALI COMMISSION 

Fiscal Year 2012 Draft Work Plan 

AGENCY: Denali Commission. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Denali Commission 

(Commission) is an independent federal 

agency based on an innovative federalstate partnership designed to provide 

critical utilities, infrastructure and 

support for economic development and 

in training in Alaska by delivering 

federal services in the most costeffective manner possible. The 

Commission was created in 1998 with 

passage of the October 21, 1998 Denali 

Commission Act (Act) (Title III of Pub. 

L. 105–277, 42 U.S.C. 3121). The Denali 

Commission Act requires that the 

Commission develop proposed work 

plans for future spending and that the 

annual Work Plan be published in the 

Federal Register, providing an 

opportunity for a 30-day period of 

public review and written comment. 

This Federal Register notice serves to 

announce the 30-day opportunity for 

public comment on the Denali 

Commission Draft Work Plan for Federal 

Fiscal Year 2012. 

DATES: Comments and related material 

to be received by June 12, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the 

Denali Commission, Attention: Sabrina 

Hoppas, 510 L Street, Suite 410, 

Anchorage, AK 99501. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Sabrina Hoppas, Denali Commission, 

510 L Street, Suite 410, Anchorage, AK 

99501. Telephone: (907) 271–1414. 

Email: shoppas@denali.gov. 

Background: The Denali Commission 

(Commission) is an independent federal 

agency based on an innovative federalstate partnership designed to provide 

critical utilities, infrastructure and 

support for economic development and 

training in Alaska by delivering federal 

services in the most cost-effective 

manner possible. The Commission was 

created in 1998 with passage of the 

October 21, 1998, Denali Commission 

Act (Act) (Title III of Pub. L. 105–277, 

42 U.S.C. 3121). 

The Commission’s mission is to 

partner with tribal, federal, state, and 

mstockstill on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

29318 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 96 / Thursday, May 17, 2012 / Notices 

local governments and collaborate with 

all Alaskans to improve the 

effectiveness and efficiency of 

government services, to develop a welltrained labor force employed in a 

diversified and sustainable economy, 

and to build and ensure the operation 

and maintenance of Alaska’s basic 

infrastructure. 

By creating the Commission, Congress 

mandated that all parties involved 

partner together to find new and 

innovative solutions to the unique 

infrastructure and economic 

development challenges in America’s 

most remote communities. 

Pursuant to the Denali Commission 

Act, as amended, the Commission 

determines its own basic operating 

principles and funding criteria on an 

annual federal fiscal year (October 1 to 

September 30) basis. The Commission 

outlines these priorities and funding 

recommendations in an annual Work 

Plan. The Work Plan is adopted on an 

annual basis in the following manner, 

which occurs sequentially as listed: 

• Commissioners first forward an 

approved draft version of the Work Plan 

to the Federal Co-Chair. 

• The Federal Co-Chair approves the 

draft Work Plan for publication in the 

Federal Register providing an 

opportunity for a 30-day period of 

public review and written comment. 

During this time, the draft Work Plan is 

also disseminated widely to 

Commission program partners 

including, but not limited to the Bureau 

of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Economic 

Development Administration (EDA), 

and the United States Department of 

Agriculture—Rural Development 

(USDA–RD). 

• Public comment concludes and 

Commission staff provides the Federal 

Co-Chair with a summary of public 

comment and recommendations, if any, 

associated with the draft Work Plan. 

• If no revisions are made to the draft, 

the Federal Co-Chair provides notice of 

approval of the Work Plan to the 

Commissioners, and forwards the Work 

Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for 

approval; or, if there are revisions the 

Federal Co-Chair provides notice of 

modifications to the Commissioners for 

their consideration and approval, and 

upon receipt of approval from 

Commissioners, forwards the Work Plan 

to the Secretary of Commerce for 

approval. 

• The Secretary of Commerce 

approves the Work Plan. 

FY 2012 Annual Work Plan (Amended) 

In FY 2011, the typical annual Work 

Plan process was not carried out. 

Several factors contributed to this 

including continuing resolutions (CRs) 

passed by Congress late in the fiscal 

year resulting in latent consideration of 

the FY 2011 annual Work Plan by the 

Commissioners (Commissioners met on 

June 2, 2011 to consider the FY 2011 

annual Work Plan). In addition, the final 

FY 2011 budget included a rescission of 

$15,000,000 in prior year unobligated 

funds and uncertainty on how the 

rescission may impact the FY 2011 

Work Plan was not resolved until 

September 2011. 

With concurrence from the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) and the 

Secretary of Commerce, the amended 

FY 2011 Work Plan will be processed 

concurrently with the FY 2012 Work 

Plan. The FY 2011 Work Plan and the 

amended budget for the FY 2011 Work 

Plan are not included as part of this FY 

2012 Work Plan document. 

FY 2012 Appropriations Summary 

The Denali Commission has 

historically received several federal 

funding sources (identified by the 

varying colors in the table below). These 

fund sources are governed by the 

following general principles: 

• In FY 2012 no project specific 

earmarks were directed. 

• The Energy and Water 

Appropriation is eligible for use in all 

programs, but has historically been used 

substantively to fund the Energy 

Program. 

• All other funds outlined below may 

be used only for the specific program 

area and may not be used across 

programs. For instance, Federal Transit 

Administration funding, which has in 

the past been appropriated for the 

Transportation Program, may not be 

moved to the Energy Program. 

• Final transportation funds received 

may be reduced due to agency 

modifications, reductions and fees 

determined by the U.S. Department of 

Transportation. Final program available 

figures may not be provided until later 

this spring. 

• All Energy and Water 

Appropriation funds, including 

operational funds, designated as ‘‘up to’’ 

may be reassigned to the Legacy Energy 

Program, Bulk Fuel and Rural Power 

System Upgrades, if they are not fully 

expended in a program component area 

or a specific project. 

• Total FY 2012 Budgetary Resources 

provided: 

These are the figures that appear in 

the rows entitled ‘‘FY 2012 

Appropriation’’ and are the original 

appropriations amounts which do not 

include Commission overhead 

deductions. These funds are identified 

by their source name (i.e., Energy and 

Water Appropriation, USDA–RUS, etc.). 

The grand total for all appropriations 

appears at the end of the FY 2012 

Funding Table. 

• Total FY 2012 Program Available 

Funding: 

These are the figures that appear in 

the rows entitled ‘‘FY 2012 

Appropriations—Program Available’’ 

and are the amounts of funding 

available for program(s) activities after 

Commission overhead has been 

deducted. The grand total for all 

program available funds appears at the 

end of the FY 2012 Funding Table. 

• Program Funding: 

These are the figures that appear in 

the rows entitled with the specific 

Program and Sub-Program area, and are 

the amounts of funding the Draft FY 

2012 Work Plan recommends, within 

each program fund source for program 

components. 

• Subtotal of Program Funding 

These are the figures that appear in 

rows entitled ‘‘subtotal’’ and are the 

subtotals of all program funding within 

a given fund source. The subtotal must 

always equal the Total FY 2012 Program 

Available Funding. 

Denali Commission FY 2011 Funding Table Totals 

FY 2012 Energy & Water Appropriation .......................................................................... $10,679,000. 

FY 2012 Energy & Water Appropriation—Administrative Funds .................................... $3,294,000. 

FY 2012 Energy & Water Appropriation—Program Available ......................................... $7,385,000. 

Energy .............................................................................................................................. $7,385,000. 

Emerging Energy Technology Program .......................................................................... $2,400,000. 

Bulk Fuel/RPSU Planning, Design & Construction ......................................................... $3,770,350. 

Renewable Energy Technical Assistance ....................................................................... Up to $300,000. 

Total Energy Projects ............................................................................................... $6,470,350. 

mstockstill on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 96 / Thursday, May 17, 2012 / Notices 29319 

Denali Commission FY 2011 Funding Table Totals 

Health ............................................................................................................................... $0. 

Training Program ............................................................................................................. $0. 

Economic Development ................................................................................................... $0. 

Solid Waste Program ....................................................................................................... $0. 

Sponsorship Program ...................................................................................................... $0. 

Sub-total $ ................................................................................................................ $8,120,350. 

FY 2012 USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS)—pending estimate ................................. $2,900,000. 

FY 2012 USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS)—Program Available (less 4% overhead) $2,784,000. 

Bulk Fuel/RPSU Planning, Design & Construction ......................................................... $2,784,000. 

Sub-total $ ................................................................................................................ $2,784,000. 

FY 2012 Trans Alaska Pipeline Liability (TAPL) Trust .................................................... $6,800,000. 

FY 2012 Trans Alaska Pipeline Liability (TAPL)—Program Available (less 5% overhead).$6,460,000. 

Bulk Fuel Planning, Design & Construction .................................................................... $6,460,000. 

Sub-total $ ................................................................................................................ $6,460,000. 

FY 2012 Federal Transit Administration (FTA)—Estimate: $5,000,000 from section 

3011 (FTA) for docks and harbors.

$5,000,000. 

FY 2012 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)—Estimate: For necessary, expenses for the Denali Access System Program as authorized under Section 1960 

of Public Law 109–59.

$0–$24,700,000. 

FY 2012 Transportation Program Available—(less 5%) ................................................. $4,750,000–$28,215,000. 

Transportation Program: Docks & Harbors ..................................................................... $4,750,000. 

Transportation Program: Roads—Estimate ..................................................................... $0–$23,465,000. 

Sub-total $ ................................................................................................................ $4,750,000–$28,215,000. 

Total FY 2012 Federal Program Available ............................................................... $21,379,000–$44,844,000. 

FY 12 Program Details & General 

Information 

The following section provides 

narrative discussion, by each of the 

Commission Programs identified for 

funding in the FY 2012 funding table 

above. 

Government Coordination 

The Commission is charged with the 

special role of increasing the 

effectiveness of government programs 

by acting as a catalyst to coordinate the 

many federal and state programs that 

serve Alaska. In FY 2011 the 

Commission will continue its role of 

coordinating State and Federal agencies 

and other partner organizations to 

accomplish its overall mission of 

developing Alaska’s communities. 

Particular focus will be given to the 

collaborative efforts of the 

Commission’s Federal and State 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

and the Sustainable Rural Communities 

initiative. Strategies and next steps for 

this effort will be formulated as the 

Denali Commission leads this unique 

collaborative effort. No funding is 

dedicated to this activity. 

Energy Program 

Basic Rural Energy Infrastructure 

The Energy Program is the 

Commission’s original program and 

focuses on bulk fuel facilities (BFU) and 

rural power system upgrades/power 

generation (RPSU) across rural Alaska. 

About 94% of electricity in rural 

communities is produced by diesel 

generators and about half the fuel 

storage in most villages is used for these 

power plants for distribution. 

Alternative means of generating power 

can reduce the capacity needed for fuel 

storage and ultimately reduce the cost of 

power to the community. 

Alternative/Renewable Program and 

Emerging Technologies 

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 

established new authorities for the 

Commission’s Energy Program with an 

emphasis on alternative and renewable 

energy projects. Although the 2005 

Energy Policy Act did not include 

appropriations, the Commission is 

expected to carry out the intent of the 

Act through a portion of its Energy and 

Water Appropriation funding. To date, 

the Commission has co-funded a 

number of renewable projects and each 

year new initiatives are considered. 

After providing seed funding toward the 

initiative, in 2007, the State of Alaska 

passed legislation and funded the 

Renewable Energy Fund (REF). 

With the advent of the REF, State 

resources to meet commercial-ready 

renewable technology needs are 

available, yet a gap in meeting the 

emerging energy technology needs was 

identified. Similar to the REF 

partnership, the newly established 

Emerging Energy Technology Fund 

(EETF) was provided seed funding to 

support demonstration projects for 

applied research and further 

technologies focusing on deployment in 

rural Alaska. The EETF has since passed 

the State Legislature, has formed its 

selection process and is proceeding with 

project selection. 

Other Renewable Initiatives 

As the Renewable Energy Fund and 

Emerging Energy Technology Fund 

proceed, the Commission strives to 

support their success. In 2011, the 

Commission funded $300,000 toward 

Renewable Energy Technical 

Assistance, which resulted in match 

funding from the Department of Energy 

toward the newly established State 

Technical Assistance Response Team 

(START). The START effort provides 

technical assistance to a select number 

of communities to help assess energy 

needs, deal with barriers and identify 

funding options. To keep with the 2005 

mstockstill on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

29320 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 96 / Thursday, May 17, 2012 / Notices 

direction to fund renewable and 

alternative energy, the FY 2012 Work 

Plan includes $300,000 toward this 

effort in 2012. The FY 2011 Work Plan 

outlines a strategy to balance the Energy 

Program in both legacy and renewable 

components, providing up to $2.4 

million of available program funds 

specifically toward the emerging 

technology program pending state 

match. If match for this program is not 

provided, this funding shall be 

reallocated to legacy projects. 

FY 2012 Program & Project Policy Issues 

The approved FY 2008 Denali 

Commission Policy Document requires 

and prioritizes cost share match for 

funded projects. In implementing this 

policy, 10%, match was required in FY 

2010 and FY 2011. In FY 2012 new 

statutory match is required in the 

amounts of 50% for non-distressed and 

20% for distressed communities and 

only applies toward construction 

projects using Energy and Water 

Appropriation funding. In future 

funding years, the Commission will 

require consistent match for energy 

projects funded with other funding 

(TAPL, RUS). For FY 2012 funding, the 

Commission will apply the 10% match 

for RUS and TAPL funding and the 50% 

and 20% match requirements for Energy 

and Water Appropriation funding. 

Sustainability Policy 

All energy construction grants will 

proceed after business plans are 

reviewed and approved by Commission. 

FY 2012 Project Selection Process 

The Energy Advisory Committee 

(EAC) provides guidance to 

Commissioners and staff on the 

program, and is comprised of members 

involved in energy development in 

Alaska. Members include 

representatives of Associated General 

Contractors, Alaska AFL–CIO, 

Department of Energy National 

Renewable Energy Lab, the University of 

Alaska Institute of Northern 

Engineering, USDA, Kotzebue Electric 

Association and two public members 

representing rural Alaska. The EAC 

provided general recommendations 

supporting the ongoing priority for 

funding Bulk Fuel/Rural Power System 

Upgrade planning, design and 

construction, providing match funding 

for the emerging energy technology 

program and for renewable energy 

regional planning in coordination with 

the Alaska Energy Authority’s initiative 

to meet statewide energy infrastructure 

needs for all of the above. 

Legacy Program (Bulk Fuel/RPSU) 

Due to the nature of the due diligence 

requirement of energy projects, seasonal 

logistics in Alaska and funding 

restrictions (i.e. TAPL funds may only 

be used for bulk fuel projects)—a project 

may not progress as quickly as another. 

Given the late timing of funding in FY 

2011, summer construction grants are 

not anticipated. A final project list will 

be developed based on available funds, 

project readiness, available match and 

other due diligence. Final project lists 

are provided to EAC for feedback prior 

to final grant execution. 

Transportation 

Section 309 of the Denali Commission 

Act 1998 (amended), created the 

Commission’s Transportation Program, 

including the Transportation Advisory 

Committee. The advisory committee is 

composed of nine members appointed 

by the Governor of the State of Alaska 

including the Chairman of the Denali 

Commission; four members who 

represent existing regional native 

corporations, native nonprofit entities, 

or tribal governments, including one 

member who is a civil engineer; and 

four members who represent rural 

Alaska regions or villages, including one 

member who is a civil engineer. 

The Transportation Program 

addresses two areas of rural Alaska 

transportation infrastructure: Roads and 

waterfront development. There is 

consensus among agencies and 

communities that the program is 

successfully addressing improvements 

to local and regional transportation 

systems. This is largely a function of the 

TAC’s success at project selection and 

monitoring, and the success of the 

program’s project development partners. 

The program is generally a 

competitively-bid contractor or 

materials-based project opportunity 

grounded in Title 23 CFR. These strict 

project development and construction 

guidelines have presented some 

challenges to the Commission’s ability 

to respond quickly to targets of 

opportunity, but they have also had the 

positive effect of ensuring project design 

and construction is executed at a 

professional level. The program operates 

under a reimbursable payment system 

that requires local and program partner 

sponsors to pay close attention to 

accounting procedures prior to their 

payments to contractors and vendors. 

This system helps ensure project 

payments are eligible when submitted to 

the Commission. 

In FY 2012 the program will continue 

its focus on barge landings and mooring 

points in rural communities. These 

projects range from one or two mooring 

points to secure a barge, to small dock 

structures, depending on community 

size and barge operation characteristics. 

The value of these structures lies in 

improved fuel/freight transfer 

operations and improved worker and 

environmental safety. The Commission 

and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

(USACE) will continue to work through 

the prioritized list of barge landing and 

mooring point projects which were 

identified in a formal analysis 

conducted in FY 2009 and FY 2010. The 

universe of need for the first generation 

of projects is in the range of 

$40,000,000. 

The TAC met on January 26–27, 2012 

to select waterfront projects and will 

meet in early summer to select road 

project priorities for FY 2012. Final 

project approvals and funding amounts 

have been approved by the Federal CoChair and are available on the 

Commission’s Web site. 

As shown in the FY 2012 Funding 

Table, the estimate for FHWA funding 

ranges from $0 to $24,700,000. In 2011 

continuing resolution language, the U.S. 

Secretary of Transportation was 

assigned the responsibility by Congress 

to identify FHWA projects and programs 

that were sufficiently funded (i.e. 

completed). In following this 

assignment, the Secretary determined 

that the Denali Access Program was 

sufficiently funded and $13,300,000 in 

FY 2011 FHWA funding was assigned to 

the Alaska Department of 

Transportation. At the request of the 

Denali Commission Inspector General, 

GAO is presently considering whether 

the Secretary had the authority to make 

this determination regarding the Denali 

Access Program. At the time of drafting 

this 2012 annual Work Plan, the GAO 

Comptroller General has not yet issued 

an opinion. Therefore, depending upon 

the forthcoming opinion the 

Commission may receive no FHWA 

funding or potentially receive both FY 

2011 and FY 2012 FHWA funding— 

totaling $24,740,000. 

Joel Neimeyer, 

Federal Co-Chair. 

[FR Doc. 2012–11936 Filed 5–16–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3301–01–P 

ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION 

Proposed Information Collection; 

Election Administration in Urban and 

Rural Areas; Comment Request 

AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance 

Commission (EAC). 

ACTION: Notice. 

mstockstill on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES