95170 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2024 / Notices 

10. Under the law, the Secretary of 

Agriculture appointed three members, 

and the Chair and Ranking Members of 

the House Committee on Agriculture 

and the Senate Committees on Indian 

Affairs and Agriculture, Nutrition, and 

Forestry appointed the remaining eight 

members. In addition to providing 

recommendations to the Secretary, the 

Tribal Advisory Committee is required 

to submit report(s) to the three 

Congressional Committees listed above. 

Availability of Materials for the 

Meeting: All written public comments 

will be compiled into a binder and will 

be made available for review at the 

meeting. Duplicate comments from 

multiple individuals will appear as one 

comment, with a notation that multiple 

copies of the comment were received. 

Please visit https://www.usda.gov/ 

tribalrelations/advisory-committee to 

learn more about the agenda for or 

reports resulting from this meeting. 

Be advised that anyone calling into 

the Zoom teleconference system or 

participating in-person that is interested 

in providing public comment will be 

asked to provide their name, title, and 

Tribal or organizational affiliations. 

Callers may expect to incur charges for 

calls they initiate over wireless lines, 

and the USDA will not refund any 

incurred charges. 

The USDA prohibits discrimination in 

all its programs and activities based on 

race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 

gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, 

disability, age, marital status, family/ 

parental status, income derived from a 

public assistance program, political 

beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior 

civil rights activity, in any program or 

activity conducted or funded by USDA 

(not all bases apply to all programs). 

Remedies and complaint filing 

deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means of communication for 

program information (e.g., Braille, large 

print, audiotape, American Sign 

Language, etc.) should contact the 

responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET 

Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and 

TTY) or contact USDA through the 

Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. 

Additionally, program information may 

be made available in languages other 

than English. 

Equal opportunity practices, in 

accordance with USDA policies, will be 

followed in all membership 

appointments to the Committee. To 

ensure that the recommendations of the 

Committee have taken into account the 

needs of the diverse groups served by 

the Department, membership shall 

include, to the extent practicable, 

individuals with demonstrated ability to 

represent the many communities, 

identities, races, ethnicities, 

backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and 

beliefs of the American people, 

including underserved communities. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 

employer, and lender. 

Dated: November 22, 2024. 

Cikena Reid, 

USDA Committee Management Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2024–28096 Filed 11–29–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–AG–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Utilities Service 

Rural Housing Service 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

[Docket No. RUS–24–AGENCY–0035] 

Notice of Adoption of Department of 

Energy Categorical Exclusions Under 

the National Environmental Policy Act 

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, Rural 

Housing Service and Rural BusinessCooperative Service, Rural 

Development, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: Rural Development (RD), a 

mission area within the United States 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

announces its adoption of seven 

Categorical Exclusions (CEs) from the 

United States Department of Energy 

(DOE) under the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to use 

in RD programs and funding 

opportunities. This notice describes the 

categories of proposed actions for which 

RD intends to use the DOE CEs and 

describes the consultation between the 

agencies. 

DATES: This action is effective upon 

publication. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Alan Hachey, Environmental Protection 

Specialist, Environmental and Historic 

Preservation Division, Rural Utilities 

Service, 1400 Independence Avenue 

SW, Mail Stop 1548, Room 4004, Phone: 

(202) 205–5381; Email: alan.hachey@

usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

RD’s mission is to increase economic 

opportunity and improve the quality of 

life for all rural Americans. This 

mission is met by providing loans, 

grants, loan guarantees, and technical 

assistance through a multitude of 

programs aimed at creating and 

improving infrastructure, businesses, 

and housing throughout rural America. 

RD is divided into three agencies, the 

Rural Utilities Service, Rural BusinessCooperative Service, and Rural Housing 

Service, each with unique programs that 

play an important role in helping RD 

reach its goals. 

RD’s programs must comply with 

NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347, which 

requires Federal agencies to consider 

the environmental effects of their 

proposed actions in their decisionmaking processes and inform and 

engage the public in those processes. 

Congress enacted NEPA to establish a 

national policy for the environment, 

provide for the establishment of the 

Council on Environmental Quality 

(CEQ), and for other purposes as 

detailed on NEPA.gov (ceq.doe.gov). 

CEQ issued regulations implementing 

NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508 

(CEQ regulations). 

To comply with NEPA, agencies 

determine the appropriate level of 

review of any major Federal action—an 

environmental impact statement (EIS), 

environmental assessment (EA), or CE. 

It is the agency’s responsibility, in 

accordance with NEPA and the CEQ 

regulations, to prepare documentation 

that supports their level of review. 

Section 109 of NEPA, enacted as part 

of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, 

allows a Federal agency to adopt and 

use another agency’s CEs for a category 

of proposed agency actions (42 U.S.C. 

4336c). To use another agency’s CEs 

under section 109, the adopting agency 

must identify the relevant CEs listed in 

another agency’s (‘‘establishing agency’’) 

NEPA procedures that cover the 

adopting agency’s category of proposed 

actions or related actions; consult with 

the establishing agency to ensure that 

the proposed adoption of the CE to a 

category of actions is appropriate; 

identify to the public the CE that the 

adopting agency plans to use for its 

proposed actions; and document 

adoption of the CE (40 CFR 

1501.4(e)(2024)). This notice documents 

RD’s adoption of seven DOE CEs under 

Section 109 of NEPA for future use in 

RD programs and funding opportunities. 

II. Identification of the Categorical 

Exclusions and Additional Conditions 

for Application 

RD provides loans, grants and 

technical assistance to build critical 

infrastructure like electric, broadband, 

water systems, and hospitals. The 

programs expand access to electric, 

telecommunications, and transportation 

infrastructure, and support business 

growth, healthcare, education, housing, 

and other community essentials. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2024 / Notices 95171 

RD has identified the following CEs 

for adoption, which are listed in DOE’s 

NEPA procedures as CEs B4.1, B4.4, 

B4.8, B4.13, B4.14, B5.1, and B5.16 of 

10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, Appendix 

B. The final rule establishing or revising 

CEs B4.13, B4.14, and B5.16 was 

published by DOE on April 30, 2024 (89 

FR 34074–01). The DOE text of each CE 

has been included in quotations 

following each identified CE. RD 

intends to apply these CEs to projects 

undertaken directly by RD, requiring an 

approval by RD, or financed in whole or 

in part through Federal funds made 

available by RD programs. 

RD will review each action and 

require the preparation of an 

environmental review document to 

ensure the following: (1) Consistency 

with the DOE’s NEPA procedures at 10 

CFR 1021 Subpart D, Appendix B which 

require an evaluation of ‘‘integral 

elements’’ to confirm the proposal will 

have no significant impacts on the 

resources identified in DOE 

environmental procedures; (2) 

Compliance with RD’s NEPA 

procedures at 7 CFR 1970.52 which 

address extraordinary circumstances; 

and (3) Confirmation that the action has 

not been segmented as required by 

DOE’s NEPA procedures at 10 CFR 

1021.410(b)(3). The evaluation of 

integral elements and segmentation is 

further described in this section. The 

evaluation of extraordinary 

circumstances is further described in 

Section III. 

B4.1 Contracts, Policies, and 

Marketing and Allocation Plans for 

Electric Power 

‘‘Establishment and implementation 

of contracts, policies, and marketing and 

allocation plans related to electric 

power acquisition that involve only the 

use of the existing transmission system 

and existing generation resources 

operating within their normal operating 

limits.’’ 

RD intends to apply this CE in a 

manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions (e.g., the implementation of or 

amendments to Power Purchase 

Agreements (PPAs) entered into by 

DOE). An example of a project type 

where this CE could be applied by RD 

includes, but is not limited to, the 

implementation of PPAs proposed for 

funding through the Empowering Rural 

America Program (NewERA) Program. 

B4.4 Power Marketing Services and 

Activities 

‘‘Power marketing services and power 

management activities (including, but 

not limited to, storage, load shaping and 

balancing, seasonal exchanges, and 

other similar activities), provided that 

the operations of generating projects 

would remain within normal operating 

limits. (See B4.14 of this appendix for 

energy storage systems.)’’ 

RD intends to apply this CE in a 

manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions (e.g., advanced metering 

infrastructure, distribution automation, 

energy storage systems, load control). 

An example of a project type where this 

CE could be applied by RD includes, but 

is not limited to, the funding of grid 

modernization infrastructure through 

the Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan 

Guarantee, NewERA, or Powering 

Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) 

Programs to integrate renewable energy 

generation projects. 

B4.8 Electricity Transmission 

Agreements 

‘‘New electricity transmission 

agreements, and modifications to 

existing transmission arrangements, to 

use a transmission facility of one system 

to transfer power of and for another 

system, provided that no new 

generation projects would be involved 

and no physical changes in the 

transmission system would be made 

beyond the previously disturbed or 

developed facility area.’’ 

RD intends to apply this CE in a 

manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions. (e.g., new electricity 

transmission agreements or 

modifications to existing agreements). 

An example of a project type where this 

CE could be applied by RD includes, but 

is not limited to, modifications to 

existing agreements that enable the 

transmission of power from renewable 

energy projects proposed for funding 

through the Electric Infrastructure Loan 

& Loan Guarantee, NewERA, or PACE 

Programs. 

B4.13 Upgrading and Rebuilding 

Existing Powerlines and Related 

Provisions 

‘‘Upgrading or rebuilding existing 

electric powerlines, which may involve 

relocations of small segments of the 

powerlines within an existing powerline 

right-of-way or within otherwise 

previously disturbed or developed lands 

(as discussed at 10 CFR 1021.410(g)(1)). 

Upgrading or rebuilding existing electric 

powerlines also may involve widening 

an existing powerline right-of-way to 

meet current electrical standards if the 

widening remains within previously 

disturbed or developed lands and only 

extends into a small area beyond such 

lands as needed to comply with 

applicable electrical standards. Covered 

actions would be in accordance with 

applicable requirements, including the 

integral elements listed at the start of 

appendix B of this part; and would 

incorporate appropriate design and 

construction standards, control 

technologies, and best management 

practices. This categorical exclusion 

does not apply to underwater 

powerlines. As used in this categorical 

exclusion, ‘‘small’’ has the meaning 

discussed at 10 CFR 1021.410(g)(2).’’ 

The terms ‘‘small’’ and ‘‘small-scale’’ 

are defined in 10 CFR 1021.410(g)(2), 

and RD agrees to apply the adopted CEs 

in a manner consistent with DOE’s 

definitions. 

RD intends to apply this CE in a 

manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions (upgrading or rebuilding 

powerlines located in existing rights of 

way or within otherwise previously 

disturbed or developed lands). An 

example of a project type where this CE 

could be applied by RD includes, but is 

not limited to, the upgrading or 

rebuilding of an existing overhead or 

underground powerline relocating 

within an existing utility or 

transportation right-of-way or within 

otherwise previously disturbed or 

developed lands proposed for funding 

through the Electric Infrastructure Loan 

& Loan Guarantee Program. RD would 

not apply this CE to underwater 

powerline projects. 

B4.14 Construction and Operation of 

Electrochemical-Battery or Flywheel 

Energy Storage Systems 

‘‘Construction, operation, upgrade, or 

decommissioning of an electrochemicalbattery or flywheel energy storage 

system within a previously disturbed or 

developed area or within a small (as 

discussed at 10 CFR 1021.410(g)(2)) area 

contiguous to a previously disturbed or 

developed area. Covered actions would 

be in accordance with applicable 

requirements (such as land use and 

zoning requirements) in the proposed 

project area and the integral elements 

listed at the start of appendix B of this 

part, and would incorporate appropriate 

safety standards (including the current 

National Fire Protection Association 

855, Standard for the Installation of 

Stationary Energy Storage Systems), 

design and construction standards, 

control technologies, and best 

management practices.’’ 

RD does not have an existing CE that 

addresses certain energy storage 

systems. Adoption of this CE would 

benefit RD by covering applications 

with these types of energy storage 

systems. RD intends to apply this CE in 


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95172 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2024 / Notices 

a manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions (energy storage systems located 

within a previously disturbed or 

developed area or within a small area 

contiguous to a previously disturbed or 

developed area). An example of a 

project type where this CE could be 

applied by RD includes, but is not 

limited to, the construction of battery 

energy storage systems within or 

adjacent to existing substation sites 

funded through the Electric 

Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee, 

NewERA or PACE Programs. 

B5.1 Actions To Conserve Energy or 

Water 

‘‘(a) Actions to conserve energy or 

water, demonstrate potential energy or 

water conservation, and promote energy 

efficiency that would not have the 

potential to cause significant changes in 

the indoor or outdoor concentrations of 

potentially harmful substances. These 

actions may involve financial and 

technical assistance to individuals (such 

as builders, owners, consultants, 

manufacturers, and designers), 

organizations (such as utilities), and 

governments (such as state, local, and 

tribal). Covered actions include, but are 

not limited to weatherization (such as 

insulation and replacing windows and 

doors); programmed lowering of 

thermostat settings; placement of timers 

on hot water heaters; installation or 

replacement of energy efficient lighting, 

low-flow plumbing fixtures (such as 

faucets, toilets, and showerheads), 

heating, ventilation, and air 

conditioning systems, and appliances; 

installation of drip-irrigation systems; 

improvements in generator efficiency 

and appliance efficiency ratings; 

efficiency improvements for vehicles 

and transportation (such as fleet 

changeout); transportation management 

systems (such as traffic signal control 

systems, car navigation, speed cameras, 

and automatic plate number 

recognition); development of energyefficient manufacturing, industrial, or 

building practices; and small-scale 

energy efficiency and conservation 

research and development and smallscale pilot projects. Covered actions 

include building renovations or new 

structures, provided that they occur in 

a previously disturbed or developed 

area. Covered actions could involve 

commercial, residential, agricultural, 

academic, institutional, or industrial 

sectors. Covered actions do not include 

rulemakings, standard-settings, or 

proposed DOE legislation, except for 

those actions listed in B5.1(b) of this 

appendix. 

(b) Covered actions include 

rulemakings that establish energy 

conservation standards for consumer 

products and industrial equipment, 

provided that the actions would not: (1) 

Have the potential to cause a significant 

change in manufacturing infrastructure 

(such as construction of new 

manufacturing plants with considerable 

associated ground disturbance); (2) 

involve significant unresolved conflicts 

concerning alternative uses of available 

resources (such as rare or limited raw 

materials); (3) have the potential to 

result in a significant increase in the 

disposal of materials posing significant 

risks to human health and the 

environment (such as RCRA hazardous 

wastes); or (4) have the potential to 

cause a significant increase in energy 

consumption in a state or region.’’ 

RD intends to apply this CE in a 

manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions. (e.g., providing financial 

assistance to organizations such as 

utility cooperatives). An example of a 

project type where this CE could be 

applied by RD to similar project types 

such as energy efficiency proposals that 

are funded through the Rural Energy for 

America (REAP) Program. 

B5.16 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems 

and Related Provisions 

‘‘The installation, modification, 

operation, or decommissioning of 

commercially available solar 

photovoltaic systems: (1) Located on a 

building or other structure (such as 

rooftop, parking lot or facility, or 

mounted to signage, lighting, gates, or 

fences); or (2) Located within a 

previously disturbed or developed area. 

(b) Covered actions would be in 

accordance with applicable 

requirements (such as land use and 

zoning requirements) in the proposed 

project area and the integral elements 

listed at the start of appendix B of this 

part and would be consistent with 

applicable plans for the management of 

wildlife and habitat, including plans to 

maintain habitat connectivity, and 

incorporate appropriate control 

technologies and best management 

practices.’’ 

RD intends to apply this CE in a 

manner consistent with DOE’s 

application—to the same types of 

actions (solar photovoltaic systems 

located in previously disturbed or 

developed areas). An example of a 

project type where this CE could be 

applied by RD includes, but is not 

limited to, the construction of a ground 

mount solar photovoltaic system within 

a previously disturbed or developed 

area being funded through the 

Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee, 

NewERA, or PACE Programs. Adoption 

of this CE by RD would provide 

significant flexibility to approve solar 

photovoltaic projects without a 

predetermined size limit for projects 

proposed in previously disturbed or 

developed areas so long as applicable 

conditions are met. In its environmental 

review, RD will document how the 

application of this CE would be 

consistent with applicable plans for the 

management of wildlife and habitat, 

including plans to maintain habitat 

connectivity, and incorporate 

appropriate control technologies and 

best management practices. 

Additional conditions applicable to 

DOE’s CEs: DOE defines ‘‘Previously 

disturbed or developed area’’ as ‘‘land 

that has been changed such that its 

functioning ecological processes have 

been and remain altered by human 

activity,’’ and further clarifies that ‘‘[t]he 

phrase encompasses areas that have 

been transformed from natural cover to 

non-native species or a managed state, 

including, but not limited to, utility and 

electric power transmission corridors 

and rights-of-way, and other areas 

where active utilities and currently used 

roads are readily available.’’ 10 CFR 

1021.410(g)(1). DOE’s definition of 

‘‘Previously disturbed or developed 

area’’ is substantially the same as the 

definition RD uses. RD defines 

‘‘[p]reviously disturbed or developed 

area’’ as ‘‘land that has been changed 

such that its functioning ecological 

processes have been and remain altered 

by human activity,’’ which 

‘‘encompasses areas that have been 

transformed from natural cover to nonnative species or a managed state, 

including, but not limited to, utility and 

electric power transmission corridors 

and rights-of-way, and other areas 

where active utilities and currently used 

roads are readily available.’’ 7 CFR 

1970.6(a). 

The DOE CEs include additional 

conditions referred to as integral 

elements (10 CFR part 1021 subpart D, 

Appendix B). In order to apply the CEs, 

the action must be one that would not: 

(1) Threaten a violation of applicable 

statutory, regulatory, or permit 

requirements for environment, safety, 

and health, or similar requirements of 

USDA or Executive Orders; 

(2) Require siting and construction or 

major expansion of waste storage, 

disposal, recovery, or treatment 

facilities (including incinerators), but 

the proposal may include categorically 

excluded waste storage, disposal, 

recovery, or treatment actions or 

facilities; 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2024 / Notices 95173 

(3) Disturb hazardous substances, 

pollutants, contaminants, or 

Comprehensive Environmental 

Response, Compensation, and Liability 

Act (CERCLA)—excluded petroleum 

and natural gas products that preexist in 

the environment such that there would 

be uncontrolled or unpermitted releases; 

(4) Have the potential to cause 

significant impacts on environmentally 

sensitive resources. An environmentally 

sensitive resource is typically a resource 

that has been identified as needing 

protection through Executive Order, 

statute, or regulation by Federal, state, 

or local government, or a federally 

recognized Indian tribe. An action may 

be categorically excluded if, although 

sensitive resources are present, the 

action would not have the potential to 

cause significant impacts on those 

resources (such as construction of a 

building with its foundation well above 

a sole-source aquifer or upland surface 

soil removal on a site that has 

wetlands). Environmentally sensitive 

resources include, but are not limited to: 

(i) Property (such as sites, buildings, 

structures, and objects) of historic, 

archeological, or architectural 

significance designated by a Federal, 

state, or local government, federally 

recognized Indian tribe, or Native 

Hawaiian organization, or property 

determined to be eligible for listing on 

the National Register of Historic Places; 

(ii) Federally listed threatened or 

endangered species or their habitat 

(including critical habitat) or Federallyproposed or candidate species or their 

habitat (Endangered Species Act); statelisted or state-proposed endangered or 

threatened species or their habitat; 

Federally-protected marine mammals 

and Essential Fish Habitat (Marine 

Mammal Protection Act; MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Act); and otherwise 

Federally-protected species (such as the 

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act or 

the Migratory Bird Treaty Act); 

(iii) Floodplains and wetlands; 

(iv) Areas having a special 

designation such as Federally- and statedesignated wilderness areas, national 

parks, national monuments, national 

natural landmarks, wild and scenic 

rivers, state and Federal wildlife 

refuges, scenic areas (such as National 

Scenic and Historic Trails or National 

Scenic Areas), and marine sanctuaries; 

(v) Prime or unique farmland, or other 

farmland of statewide or local 

importance, as defined at 7 CFR 

658.2(a), ‘‘Farmland Protection Policy 

Act: Definitions,’’ or its successor; 

(vi) Special sources of water (such as 

sole-source aquifers, wellhead 

protection areas, and other water 

sources that are vital in a region); and 

(vii) Tundra, coral reefs, or rain 

forests; or 

(5) Involve genetically engineered 

organisms, synthetic biology, 

governmentally designated noxious 

weeds, or invasive species, unless the 

proposed activity would be contained or 

confined in a manner designed and 

operated to prevent unauthorized 

release into the environment and 

conducted in accordance with 

applicable requirements, such as those 

of the Department of Agriculture, the 

Environmental Protection Agency, and 

the National Institutes of Health. 

The CEs being adopted will be used 

to determine whether each proposal, 

individually or cumulatively, will have 

a significant effect on the human 

environment. RD will ensure in its 

review of each action that: it has not 

been segmented as required by DOE 

regulations at 10 CFR 1021.410(b)(3); it 

has been reviewed for integral elements; 

and that RD is applying the appropriate 

level of environmental review to the 

action as required by the CEQ 

regulations at 40 CFR 1501.3. 

III. Consideration of Extraordinary 

Circumstances 

RD’s implementing procedures for 

extraordinary circumstances at 7 CFR 

1970.52 will be used when evaluating 

projects where the adopted CEs will be 

applied because both agencies define 

extraordinary circumstances very 

closely (see 10 CFR 1021.410(b)(2)). RD 

procedures for extraordinary 

circumstances also direct the agency to 

consider ‘‘characteristics of the 

geographic area affected by the 

proposal,’’ and include a list of specific 

‘‘[s]ignificant adverse environmental 

effects that the Agency considers to be 

extraordinary circumstances.’’ Because 

RD’s definition of extraordinary 

circumstances includes DOE’s 

definition in its entirety, but also 

includes additional details that address 

considerations relevant to RD’s 

programs, RD will rely on the language 

found in RD’s implementing 

procedures. RD’s regulations include the 

same factors as DOE’s regulations, and 

DOE also requires an evaluation for the 

integral elements defined in 10 CFR part 

1021 Subpart D, Appendix B. 

IV. Consultation With DOE and 

Determination of Appropriateness 

RD and DOE consulted on the 

appropriateness of RD’s adoption of the 

CEs in February, April, October, and 

November of 2024. RD and DOE’s 

consultation included a review of DOE’s 

experience developing and applying the 

CEs, the types of actions for which RD 

plans to utilize the CEs, and 

consideration of extraordinary 

circumstances. These RD actions are 

similar to the type of projects that DOE 

undertakes or funds and therefore the 

effects of RD projects will be similar to 

the effects of DOE projects, which are 

not significant, absent the existence of 

extraordinary circumstances that could 

involve potentially significant effects. 

Therefore, RD has determined that its 

proposed use of the CEs as described in 

this notice would be appropriate. 

V. Notice to the Public and 

Documentation of Adoption 

This notice serves to identify to the 

public and document RD’s adoption of 

DOE’s CEs, per 40 CFR 1501.4(e)(3) for 

contracts, policies, and marketing and 

allocation plans for electric power; 

power marketing services and activities; 

electricity transmission agreements; 

upgrading and rebuilding of existing 

powerlines, construction and operation 

of electrochemical-battery or flywheel 

energy storage systems; actions to 

conserve energy or water; and solar 

photovoltaic systems. The notice 

identifies the types of actions to which 

RD will apply the CEs, as well as the 

considerations that RD will use in 

determining whether an action is within 

the scope of the CEs. 

Issued under authority delegated in 7 

CFR 2.17. 

Basil I. Gooden, 

Under Secretary for Rural Development, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture. 

[FR Doc. 2024–27790 Filed 11–29–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P 

INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING 

ADVISORY BOARD 

Sunshine Act Meetings 

TIME AND DATE: December 11, 2024; 9:00 

a.m.–12:30 p.m. Local Time. 

PLACE: On December 11, 2024, the 

Board will meet at: Radio Free Europe/ 

Radio Liberty Headquarters, 

Vinohradska ́ 159a, 100 00 Prague 10. 

STATUS: This meeting will be closed to 

the public. 

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The 

International Broadcasting Advisory 

Board (Board) will conduct a meeting 

closed to the public at the date and time 

listed above. Board Members 

(membership includes Chair Kenneth 

Jarin, Luis Botello, Jamie Fly, Michelle 

Giuda, Kathleen Matthews, Under 

Secretary Lee Satterfield (Secretary of 

State’s Representative)), Chief Executive 

Officer of the U.S. Agency for Global 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1