[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 168 (Thursday, August 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50782-50783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19992]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
[Docket No: 070920527-81110-02]
Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion
Program
AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Amendment to Notice of Availability of Funds.
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SUMMARY: On October 29, 2007, the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) published a notice in the Federal
Register announcing the establishment of the Low-Power Television and
Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion Program (Conversion Program)
and announcing $8 million in funds available for grants. Pursuant to
the requirements of the DTV Transition Assistance Act, Public Law No.
110-295, NTIA has determined that the full funding amount is not
necessary for the Conversion Program and herein announces the funds
available for these grants to be $3.5 million. NTIA also announces
certain changes in the application submission deadlines.
DATES: The deadline for applications is February 17, 2009. However,
NTIA will not be able to guarantee the availability of funds for those
applications submitted (postmarked) after November 17, 2008. For
applications submitted (postmarked) on or after November 18, 2008,
through February 17, 2009, NTIA will use no more than $1 million of any
of the $3.5 million remaining after November 17, 2008 and will process
applications on a first-come, first-served basis until the $1 million
is exhausted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Cooperman, Broadcasting
Division Director, at telephone (202) 482-5802; fax (202) 482-2156; e-
mail [email protected]; or mail National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room H-4812, Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion
Program
Section 3008 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Deficit
Reduction Act), Public Law No. 109-171, 120 Stat. 4, 25-26 (2006),
established the Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog
Conversion Program (Conversion Program) to assist low-power television
stations so that they can continue analog broadcasting after the
February 17, 2009 digital television transition of full-power
television stations. The Deficit Reduction Act authorizes $10 million
for NTIA to provide funding during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to
eligible low-power television stations so that they may purchase
digital-to-analog conversion devices that enable them to convert the
incoming digital signal of their corresponding full-power television
station to analog format for transmission on the low-power stations'
analog channel.
On October 29, 2007, NTIA published a notice in the Federal
Register announcing the Conversion Program; establishing the
eligibility criteria, application requirements, and award amounts for
the program; and announcing the availability of $8 million for the
grants.\1\ NTIA also distributed information about the Conversion
Program through postings on http://www.grants.gov maintained by the
Office of Management and Budget and NTIA's Web site (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv), through two mailings to each low-power
television licensee, and through information disseminated at industry
meetings by NTIA officials. As of July 31, 2008, NTIA had received
applications from 749 low-power television facilities, including 689
applications from television translators, 50 applications from low-
power television stations, and 10 applications from Class A television
stations.
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\1\ See 72 FR 61109 (2007), also available on NTIA's Web site
at: http://www.mtia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/LPTVfund_102907.pdf.
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The DTV Transition Assistance Act
On July 31, 2008, the DTV Transition Assistance Act (Assistance
Act), Public Law No. 110-295, 122 Stat. 2972 (2008), was enacted.
Section 2(a) of the Assistance Act amends Section 3008 of the Deficit
Reduction Act to require NTIA to determine whether the full $10 million
authorized for the Conversion Program will be needed to assist eligible
low-power television stations.\2\ The Assistance Act also provides that
this determination may be adjusted from time to time.
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\2\ The Assistance Act authorizes NTIA to use the remaining
amounts from the Conversion Program for consumer education and
technical assistance regarding the digital television transition and
the digital-to-analog converter box program authorized by section
3005 of the Deficit Reduction Act (TV Converter Box Coupon Program).
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After reviewing the number of low-power stations potentially
eligible for the Conversion Program; the number of requests received
through July 31, 2008; and the number of facilities that have received
authorizations from the Federal Communications Commission to upgrade to
digital transmission via flash-cut, NTIA determined that the full
funding amount will not be necessary for payments to eligible low-power
television stations. NTIA has determined that $3.5 million should
adequately cover the amounts needed for payments to eligible low-power
television facilities under the Conversion Program. NTIA has also
determined to reduce this amount three months prior to February 17,
2009, digital transition deadline.
Amendments to the Conversion Program
Current program guidance provides that NTIA will accept
applications through February 17, 2009, the deadline provided in
Section 3008 of the Deficit Reduction Act. To assure maximum
effectiveness of the funding for both the Conversion Program and the TV
Converter Box Coupon Program, NTIA believes that the application
process for the Conversion Program should be expedited. Therefore, to
encourage earlier submission of Conversion Program applications, NTIA
will make
[[Page 50783]]
the full $3.5 million available for payment to eligible low-power
facilities for those applications submitted (postmarked) by November
17, 2008. For applications submitted (postmarked) on or after November
18, 2008, through February 17, 2009, NTIA will use no more than $1
million of any of the $3.5 million remaining after November 17, 2008
and will process applications on a first-come, first-served basis until
the $1 million is exhausted. All other application requirements and
procedures contained in the October 29, 2007, Federal Register Notice
remain in effect.
Executive Order 12866. This action has been determined to be not a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
Administrative Procedure Act and Regulatory Flexibility Act. Prior
notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other
law, for rules relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits or
contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)). Because prior notice and an opportunity
for public comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any
other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required and has not been prepared.
Bernadette McGuire-Rivera,
Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications Applications.
[FR Doc. E8-19992 Filed 8-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P