[Federal Register: November 5, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 215)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65783]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no08-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1735
RIN 0572-AC13
General Policies, Types of Loans, Loan Requirements--
Telecommunications
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities
Program, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the
Agency, amends its regulations for the Telecommunications Loan Program
(Loan Program). The Agency has reviewed its criteria for approving
loans and has determined that modifications to the Loan Program
regulations are required in order to ensure that some financially sound
applicants are not excluded from the Loan Program.
Specifically, this rule will modify the Times Interest Earned Ratio
(TIER) requirements that an applicant must comply with when receiving a
loan. In addition, the rule is part of an ongoing Agency project to
update Agency policies to enable borrowers to provide reliable, modern
telecommunications service at reasonable costs in rural areas, while
maintaining the security and feasibility of the Government's loans.
In the final rules section of this Federal Register, Rural
Development is publishing this action as a direct final rule without
prior proposal because the Agency 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 the Agency 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 Rural
Development or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than December 5,
2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit adverse comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov and in the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Telecom-0002, and select GO>>. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a
comment or submission,'' under the Docket Title. In order to submit
your comment, the information requested on the ``Public Comment and
Submission Form,'' must be completed. Information on using
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents,
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the
comment period, is available through the site's ``How to Use this
Site'' link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400
Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that your
adverse comment refers to Docket No. RUS-08-Telecom-0002.
Other Information: Additional information about Rural
Development and its programs is available at http://
www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry H. Brent, Director, Northern
Division, Telecommunications Program, USDA Rural Development, STOP
1595, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1595,
Telephone (202)720-1025, Facsimile (202) 690-4654. E-mail address:
jerry.brent@usda.gov
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: September 8, 2008.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E8-26317 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P