[Federal Register: July 22, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 140)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42727]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jy10-51]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 
Implementing the National Broadband Plan; Comment Period 
Extension

AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period for reply 
comments.

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SUMMARY: On May 11, 2010, the Department of Energy (DOE) published in 
the Federal Register two requests for information (RFI) regarding the 
implementation of the National Broadband Policy. The comment period on 
the RFIs closed on July 12, 2010, and reply comments are due on July 
26, 2010. This notice announces that the period for submitting reply 
comments is extended to August 9, 2010.

DATES: DOE will accept reply comments, data, and information regarding 
the National Broadband Plan RFI: Data Access and the National Broadband 
Plan RFI: Communications Requirement received no later than August 9, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Any comments submitted must identify the National Broadband 
Plan RFI: Data Access or the National Broadband Plan RFI: 
Communications Requirement, as appropriate. Comments may be submitted 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: broadband@hq.doe.gov. Include ``NBP RFI: Data 
Access'' or ``NBP RFI: Communications Requirement'' in the subject line 
of the message.
     Postal Mail: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6A245, Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Please submit one signed original paper copy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maureen C. McLaughlin, Senior 
Legal Advisor to the General Counsel (202) 586-5281; 
broadband@hq.doe.gov. For media inquiries, you may contact Jen Stutsman 
at (202) 586-4940.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 11, 2010, the DOE released two RFIs 
in the Federal Register regarding the implementation of the National 
Broadband Policy. (75 FR 26203, 75 FR 26206). The first RFI requested 
information from electric utilities, consumer groups, and other 
interested parties regarding the protection of and access to consumer 
energy usage data as federal, state, and private entities seek to 
develop Smart Grid technologies. The second RFI requested information 
on the evolving needs of electric utilities as Smart Grid technologies 
are more broadly deployed. These RFIs, intended to solicit opinions 
from a diversity of stakeholders, provided for the submission of 
comments by July 12, 2010, and the submission of reply comments by July 
26, 2010. To date, DOE has received more than 80 comments from electric 
utilities, private corporations, and consumer groups.
    Given the high volume of comment submission and the apparent public 
interest, the DOE has determined that an extension of the public reply 
comment period is appropriate and is hereby extending the reply comment 
period. DOE will consider any comments received by August 9, 2010 and 
deems any comments received between July 12, 2010 and July 22, 2010 to 
be timely submitted.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 16, 2010.
Scott Blake Harris,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2010-18005 Filed 7-21-10; 8:45 am]
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