[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 88854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28429]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 1021

[DOE-HQ-2023-0063]
RIN 1990-AA48


National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures; 
Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On November 16, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or 
the Department) published a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to 
amend its implementing procedures (regulations) governing compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DOE requested public 
comments by January 2, 2024. DOE is now extending the comment period 
until January 16, 2024, to allow the public additional review and 
submission time for any comments on the proposed changes.

DATES: The comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking 
published on November 16, 2023 (88 FR 78681) is extended. DOE must 
receive comments by January 16, 2024, to ensure consideration.

ADDRESSES: Documents relevant to this proposed rulemaking are posted at 
www.regulations.gov (Docket: DOE-HQ-2023-0063). Documents posted to 
this docket include: the notice of proposed rulemaking and DOE's 
Technical Support Document, which provides additional information 
regarding certain proposed changes and a redline/strikeout version of 
affected sections of the DOE NEPA regulations indicating the changes in 
the proposed rule.
    Submit comments, labeled ``DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures, RIN 
1990-AA48,'' by one of the following methods:
    1. www.regulations.gov: Enter ``Docket ID DOE-HQ-2023-0063'' in the 
search box. Click on ``Comment'' to submit comments, which you may 
enter directly on the web page or by uploading in a file.
    2. Postal Mail: Mail comments to NEPA Rulemaking Comments, Office 
of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-54), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. Because security 
screening may delay mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, DOE 
encourages electronic submittal of comments through 
www.regulations.gov.
    3. Email: send comments to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87c3c8c2aac9c2d7c6aad5f2ebe2eae6eceee9e0c7eff6a9e3e8e2a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a5e555f37545f4a5b37486f767f777b7173747d5a726b347e757f347d756c">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ``Public 
Participation--Submission of Comments'' (section IV) of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of DOE's notice of proposed 
rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning how to 
comment on this proposed rule, contact Ms. Carrie Abravanel, Office of 
NEPA Policy and Compliance, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#40040f056d0e0510016d12352c252d212b292e270028316e242f256e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c1813197112190c1d710e293039313d3735323b1c342d72383339723b332a">[email protected]</span></a> or (202) 
586-4600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 2023, the U.S. Department of 
Energy (DOE or the Department) published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking proposing to amend its implementing procedures (regulations) 
governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
(88 FR 78681). The proposed changes would add a categorical exclusion 
for certain energy storage systems and revise categorical exclusions 
for upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines and for solar 
photovoltaic systems, as well as make conforming changes to related 
sections of DOE's NEPA regulations.
    DOE has decided to extend the public comment period for 14 days to 
allow for additional review and submission time. Therefore, the public 
comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking will now close on 
January 16, 2024.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on December 
20, 2023, by Samuel T. Walsh, General Counsel, pursuant to delegated 
authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original 
signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes 
only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal 
Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been 
authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for 
publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This 
administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this 
document upon publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2023-28429 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P


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