Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees,

[Federal Register: April 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 63)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 16967]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04ap05-16]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 16967]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1738

RIN 0572-AB81

Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, is amending its regulations to revise the definition for ``eligible rural community'' as it relates to the rural access broadband loans and loan guarantees program.

In the final rule section of this Federal Register, RUS is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because RUS views this as a non-controversial action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed rule and the action will become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the direct final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by RUS via facsimile transmission or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than May 4, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting

comments.

Agency Web Site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2/Comments.htm. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. E-mail: RUSComments@usda.gov. Include in the subject line

of the message ``Broadband Loans and Loan Guarantees''.

Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522.

Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5168 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522.

Instructions: All submissions received must include that agency name and the subject heading ``Broadband Loans and Loan Guarantees''. All comments received must identify the name of the individual (and the name of the entity, if applicable) who is submitting the comment. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2/Comments.htm , including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Claffey, Acting Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1590, Room 4056, Washington, DC 20250-1590. Telephone number (202) 720- 9554, Facsimile (202) 720-0810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the supplementary information provided in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations direct final rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this action.

Dated: March 28, 2005. Curtis M. Anderson, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

[FR Doc. 05-6538 Filed 4-1-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P