81 FR 83928 - Notice of Availability of Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Transit Projects

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 225 (November 22, 2016)

Page Range		83928-83929
FR Document		2016-28104

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of a draft Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transit Projects (Programmatic Assessment) and an accompanying Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Estimator Tool (Estimator Tool). The purpose of the draft Programmatic Assessment is to: (1) Report on whether certain types of proposed transit projects merit detailed analysis of their GHG emissions at the project-level; and (2) provide a source of data and analysis for FTA and its grantees to reference in future environmental documents for projects where detailed, project-level GHG analysis would provide limited information beyond what is collected and considered in the assessment. The draft Programmatic Assessment presents estimates of GHG emissions generated from the construction, operations, and maintenance phases of projects across select transit modes, as well as an estimate of personal vehicle emissions displaced due to transit's ``ridership effect.'' The associated Estimator Tool is a spreadsheet tool that allows users to calculate partial lifecycle GHG emissions estimates by transit mode based on limited data inputs. FTA's draft Programmatic Assessment or Estimator Tool is not a requirement; agencies and states may use other methods for reporting GHG emissions related to state GHG reporting regulations, as needed and as appropriate. Use of FTA's draft Programmatic Assessment or Estimator Tool is not a requirement, if agencies and states are utilizing other methods for reporting GHG emissions related to state GHG reporting regulations. The FTA requests public comments on the Programmatic Assessment and the Estimator Tool.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 225 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83928-83929]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28104]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket Number: FTA-2016-0044 ]


Notice of Availability of Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse 
Gas Emissions From Transit Projects

AGENCIES:  Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability; Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
availability of a draft Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas 
Emissions from Transit Projects (Programmatic Assessment) and an 
accompanying Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Estimator Tool (Estimator 
Tool). The purpose of the draft Programmatic Assessment is to: (1) 
Report on whether certain types of proposed transit projects merit 
detailed analysis of their GHG emissions at the project-level; and (2) 
provide a source of data and analysis for FTA and its grantees to 
reference in future environmental documents for projects where 
detailed, project-level GHG analysis would provide limited information 
beyond what is collected and considered in the assessment. The draft 
Programmatic Assessment presents estimates of GHG emissions generated 
from the construction, operations, and maintenance phases of projects 
across select transit modes, as well as an estimate of personal vehicle 
emissions displaced due to transit's ``ridership effect.'' The 
associated Estimator Tool is a spreadsheet tool that allows users to 
calculate partial lifecycle GHG emissions estimates by transit mode 
based on limited data inputs. FTA's draft Programmatic Assessment or 
Estimator Tool is not a requirement; agencies and states may use other 
methods for reporting GHG emissions related to state GHG reporting 
regulations, as needed and as appropriate. Use of FTA's draft 
Programmatic Assessment or Estimator Tool is not a requirement, if 
agencies and states are utilizing other methods for reporting GHG 
emissions related to state GHG reporting regulations. The FTA requests 
public comments on the Programmatic Assessment and the Estimator Tool.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 6, 2017. Late filed 
comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to Docket No. FTA-2016-0044 by any 
of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Instructions: You must include the agency name (Federal Transit 
Administration) and the Docket Number of this notice at the beginning 
of your comments. Note that all comments received will be posted 
without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maya Sarna, Office of Environmental 
Programs, (202) 366-5811, or Christopher Van Wyk, Office of 
Environmental Programs, (202) 366-1733; Helen Serassio, Office of Chief 
Counsel, (202) 366-1974. FTA is located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In August 2016, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released 
its Final Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on 
Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of Climate 
Change in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews. The 
guidance provides a framework for agencies to consider the effects of a 
proposed action on climate change, as indicated by its estimated GHG 
emissions. The CEQ guidance notes that an agency may decide, rather 
than analyze GHG emissions project-by-project, that it would be useful 
and efficient to provide an aggregate analysis of GHG emissions or 
climate change effects through programmatic analysis and then 
incorporate that analysis by reference into future NEPA reviews. FTA 
currently considers it practicable to assess the effects of GHG 
emissions and climate change for a variety of transit projects at a 
programmatic level.
    The purpose of the Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas 
Emissions from Transit Projects is to: (1) Report on whether certain 
types of proposed transit projects merit detailed analysis of their GHG 
emissions at the project-level; and (2) provide a source of data and 
analysis for FTA and its grantees to reference in future environmental 
documents for projects where detailed, project-level GHG analysis would 
provide only limited information beyond what is collected and 
considered in the assessment. The Programmatic Assessment presents 
results from an analysis to estimate direct and indirect GHG emissions 
generated from the construction, operations, and maintenance phases of 
projects across select transit modes. The findings provide a reference 
for FTA and its grantees to use in future NEPA documents to describe 
the potential effects of proposed transit investments on partial 
lifecycle GHG emissions. This assessment's results can inform transit 
project sponsors who are considering the implications of GHG emissions 
of future transit investments or who might independently want to 
evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions benefits and cost of such 
investments. As part of the draft Programmatic Assessment, FTA 
developed the Estimator Tool. The Estimator Tool is a spreadsheet based 
tool that allows users to calculate partial lifecycle GHG emissions 
estimates by transit mode for the construction, maintenance, and 
operations phases of transit project development, as well as an 
estimate of personal vehicle emissions displaced due to transit's 
``ridership effect.''
    FTA requests comments on the draft Programmatic Assessment and the 
accompanying Estimator Tool, which are available on the docket. 
Comments

[[Page 83929]]

can be made in the docket (FTA-2016-0044). FTA will respond to comments 
received on the draft Programmatic Assessment and Estimator Tool in a 
second Federal Register notice to be published after the comment period 
closes. That second notice will also announce the availability of a 
final Programmatic Assessment and the Estimator Tool that reflects any 
changes implemented as a result of comments received.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR 1507.3; 49 CFR 
1.81(a)(5).

Lucy Garliauskas,
Associate Administrator, Office of Planning and Environment, Federal 
Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-28104 Filed 11-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-57-P

83928 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / Notices

agreement. The applicant must based on limited data inputs. FTA’s Departments and Agencies on
acknowledge that it is under a draft Programmatic Assessment or Consideration of Greenhouse Gas
continuing obligation to comply with Estimator Tool is not a requirement; Emissions and the Effects of Climate
the terms and conditions of the agencies and states may use other Change in National Environmental
Cooperative Agreement it executes with methods for reporting GHG emissions Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews. The
FTA for its project. The applicant must related to state GHG reporting guidance provides a framework for
acknowledge that it understands that regulations, as needed and as agencies to consider the effects of a
Federal laws, regulations, policies, and appropriate. Use of FTA’s draft proposed action on climate change, as
administrative practices might be Programmatic Assessment or Estimator indicated by its estimated GHG
modified from time to time and may Tool is not a requirement, if agencies emissions. The CEQ guidance notes that
affect the implementation of the project. and states are utilizing other methods an agency may decide, rather than
The applicant must agree that the most for reporting GHG emissions related to analyze GHG emissions project-by-
recent Federal requirements will apply state GHG reporting regulations. The project, that it would be useful and
to the project, unless FTA issues a FTA requests public comments on the efficient to provide an aggregate analysis
written determination otherwise. Programmatic Assessment and the of GHG emissions or climate change
Issued in Washington, DC, this sixteenth Estimator Tool. effects through programmatic analysis
day of November 2016. DATES: Comments must be received by and then incorporate that analysis by
Matthew Welbes, January 6, 2017. Late filed comments reference into future NEPA reviews.
Executive Director. will be considered to the extent FTA currently considers it practicable to
practicable. assess the effects of GHG emissions and
[FR Doc. 2016–28069 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am]
climate change for a variety of transit
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
projects at a programmatic level.
to Docket No. FTA–2016–0044 by any of The purpose of the Programmatic
the following methods: Assessment of Greenhouse Gas
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Emissions from Transit Projects is to: (1)
www.regulations.gov and follow the Report on whether certain types of
Federal Transit Administration online instructions for submitting proposed transit projects merit detailed
[Docket Number: FTA–2016–0044 ] comments. analysis of their GHG emissions at the
Mail: Docket Management Facility:
project-level; and (2) provide a source of
Notice of Availability of Programmatic U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 data and analysis for FTA and its
Assessment of Greenhouse Gas New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building grantees to reference in future
Emissions From Transit Projects Ground Floor, Room W12–140, environmental documents for projects
Washington, DC 20590–0001. where detailed, project-level GHG
AGENCIES: Federal Transit Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Administration (FTA), DOT. analysis would provide only limited
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
ACTION: Notice of availability; Request information beyond what is collected
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
for comments. and considered in the assessment. The
Washington, DC, between 8:30 a.m. and
Programmatic Assessment presents
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit 4:30 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, results from an analysis to estimate
Administration (FTA) announces the except Federal holidays. direct and indirect GHG emissions
availability of a draft Programmatic Fax: (202) 493–2251.
Instructions: You must include the generated from the construction,
Assessment of Greenhouse Gas operations, and maintenance phases of
Emissions from Transit Projects agency name (Federal Transit
Administration) and the Docket Number projects across select transit modes. The
(Programmatic Assessment) and an findings provide a reference for FTA
accompanying Greenhouse Gas of this notice at the beginning of your
and its grantees to use in future NEPA
Emissions (GHG) Estimator Tool comments. Note that all comments
documents to describe the potential
(Estimator Tool). The purpose of the received will be posted without change
effects of proposed transit investments
draft Programmatic Assessment is to: (1) to www.regulations.gov, including any
on partial lifecycle GHG emissions. This
Report on whether certain types of personal information provided. You
assessment’s results can inform transit
proposed transit projects merit detailed may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
project sponsors who are considering
analysis of their GHG emissions at the Statement published in the Federal
the implications of GHG emissions of
project-level; and (2) provide a source of Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
future transit investments or who might
data and analysis for FTA and its 19477).
independently want to evaluate the
grantees to reference in future FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: greenhouse gas emissions benefits and
environmental documents for projects Maya Sarna, Office of Environmental cost of such investments. As part of the
where detailed, project-level GHG Programs, (202) 366–5811, or draft Programmatic Assessment, FTA
analysis would provide limited Christopher Van Wyk, Office of developed the Estimator Tool. The
information beyond what is collected Environmental Programs, (202) 366– Estimator Tool is a spreadsheet based
and considered in the assessment. The 1733; Helen Serassio, Office of Chief tool that allows users to calculate partial
draft Programmatic Assessment presents Counsel, (202) 366–1974. FTA is located lifecycle GHG emissions estimates by
estimates of GHG emissions generated at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., transit mode for the construction,
from the construction, operations, and Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are maintenance, and operations phases of
maintenance phases of projects across
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday transit project development, as well as
select transit modes, as well as an through Friday, except Federal holidays. an estimate of personal vehicle
estimate of personal vehicle emissions SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emissions displaced due to transit’s
displaced due to transit’s ‘‘ridership ‘‘ridership effect.’’
effect.’’ The associated Estimator Tool is Background FTA requests comments on the draft
a spreadsheet tool that allows users to In August 2016, the Council on Programmatic Assessment and the
calculate partial lifecycle GHG Environmental Quality (CEQ) released accompanying Estimator Tool, which
emissions estimates by transit mode its Final Guidance for Federal are available on the docket. Comments

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / Notices 83929

can be made in the docket (FTA–2016– savings associations and other issues of including suggestions for reducing the
0044). FTA will respond to comments concern to existing mutual savings burden, to (1) Office of Information and
received on the draft Programmatic associations. The agenda includes a Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Assessment and Estimator Tool in a discussion of current topics of interest Management and Budget, Attention:
second Federal Register notice to be to the industry. Desk Officer for Treasury, New
published after the comment period Members of the public may submit Executive Office Building, Room 10235,
closes. That second notice will also written statements to the MSAAC. The Washington, DC 20503, or email at
announce the availability of a final OCC must receive written statements no OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.gov and
Programmatic Assessment and the later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, (2) Treasury PRA Clearance Officer,
Estimator Tool that reflects any changes December 1, 2016. Members of the 1750 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite
implemented as a result of comments public may submit written statements to 8142, Washington, DC 20220, or email
received. MSAAC@occ.treas.gov or by mailing at PRA@treasury.gov.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR them to Michael R. Brickman, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
1507.3; 49 CFR 1.81(a)(5). Designated Federal Officer, Mutual Copies of the submissions may be
Savings Association Advisory obtained by emailing PRA@treasury.gov,
Lucy Garliauskas, Committee, Office of the Comptroller of calling (202) 622–0934, or viewing the
Associate Administrator, Office of Planning the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., entire information collection request at
and Environment, Federal Transit Washington, DC 20219. www.reginfo.gov.
Administration. Members of the public who plan to
[FR Doc. 2016–28104 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am] attend the meeting should contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P OCC by 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, OMB Control Number: 1545–0731.
December 1, 2016, to inform the OCC of Type of Review: Extension without
their desire to attend the meeting and to change of a currently approved
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY provide information that will be collection.
required to facilitate entry into the Title: Definition of an S Corporation.
Office of the Comptroller of the meeting. Members of the public may Abstract: The regulations provide the
Currency contact the OCC via email at MSAAC@ procedures and the statements to be
[Docket ID OCC–2016–0032] OCC.treas.gov or by telephone at (202) filed by certain individuals for making
649–5420. Members of the public who the election under section 1361(d)(2).
Mutual Savings Association Advisory are deaf or hard of hearing should call The statements required to be filed
Committee (202) 649–5597 (TTY) by 5:00 p.m. EST would be used to verify that taxpayers
Thursday, December 1, 2016, to arrange are complying with requirements
AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the auxiliary aids such as sign language imposed by Congress under subchapter
Currency (OCC), Department of the interpretation for this meeting. S.
Treasury. Attendees should provide their full Affected Public: Businesses or other
ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory name, email address, and organization, for-profits.
Committee meeting. if any. For security reasons, attendees Estimated Total Annual Burden
will be subject to security screening Hours: 1,005.
SUMMARY: The OCC announces a OMB Control Number: 1545–0763.
procedures and must present a valid
meeting of the Mutual Savings Type of Review: Extension without
government-issued identification to
Association Advisory Committee change of a currently approved
enter the building.
(MSAAC). collection.
Dated: November 16, 2016. Title: Qualified Conservation
DATES: A public meeting of the MSAAC
Thomas J. Curry, Contributions.
will be held on Thursday, December 8,
2016, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Comptroller of the Currency. Abstract: The information is
Standard Time (EST). [FR Doc. 2016–28021 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am] necessary to comply with various
ADDRESSES: The OCC will hold the BILLING CODE 4810–33–P substantive requirements of section
December 8, 2016 meeting of the 170(h), which describes situations in
MSAAC at the OCC’s offices at 400 7th which a taxpayer is entitled to an
Street SW., Washington, DC 20219. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY income tax deduction for a charitable
contribution for conservation purposes
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Submission for OMB Review; of a partial interest in real property.
Michael R. Brickman, Deputy Comment Request Affected Public: Businesses or other
Comptroller for Thrift Supervision, for-profits.
(202) 649–5420, Office of the November 17, 2016.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Comptroller of the Currency, The Department of the Treasury will
Hours: 1,250.
Washington, DC 20219. submit the following information
OMB Control Number: 1545–0782.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By this collection requests to the Office of Type of Review: Extension without
notice, the OCC is announcing that the Management and Budget (OMB) for change of a currently approved
MSAAC will convene a meeting on review and clearance in accordance collection.
Thursday, December 8, 2016, at the with the Paperwork Reduction Act of Title: Limitation on reduction in
OCC’s offices at 400 7th Street SW., 1995, Public Law 104–13, on or after the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

income tax liability incurred to the
Washington, DC 20219. The meeting is date of publication of this notice. Virgin Islands.
open to the public and will begin at 8:30 DATES: Comments should be received on Abstract: The Tax Reform Act of 1986
a.m. EST. The purpose of the meeting is or before December 22, 2016 to be repealed the mandatory reporting and
for the MSAAC to advise the OCC on assured of consideration. recordkeeping requirements of section
regulatory changes or other steps the ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding 934(d)(1954 Code). The prior exception
OCC may be able to take to ensure the the burden estimates, or any other to the general rule of section 934 (1954
continued health and viability of mutual aspect of the information collections, Code) to prevent the Government of the

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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:29:14
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:29:14

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability; Request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be received by January 6, 2017. Late filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable.
Contact		Maya Sarna, Office of Environmental Programs, (202) 366-5811, or Christopher Van Wyk, Office of Environmental Programs, (202) 366-1733; Helen Serassio, Office of Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1974. FTA is located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FR Citation		81 FR 83928

81 FR 83928 - Notice of Availability of Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Transit Projects

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 225 (November 22, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration